#i know ramuh was the upset astral

[spiderrogue]

Imagine if he ends up a lot more annoying than when he arrived because he became attached to the people at the Hideaway, with Cid as this strange father figure/guide, Mid as that annoying little sister who likes to tease, Jill as his platonic partner in the arduous adventure of tease Clive and Joshua, and Clive as that friend who wants to get into his father's pants

FFXV & FFXVI Writing Prompt

An Astral decides they hate the path Somnus is set on heading and yeets teen Somnus to Valisthea to learn a lesson. He ends up living there for 8 years - made a Branded then becomes a cursebreaker.

But he eventually gets home to Eos and only 8 months later had passed for Eos.

[theoracleparadox]

WIP Wed-Sun-Mon-Whatever-Day-It-Is: Etro Gives Luna Her Blessing

Working through my fic, I wanted to write this drabble out so I knew what really went on between these two. It actually gives a nice background to the ask that was sent to me a couple of days ago for the “... has died” prompt. I do plan on answering that soon, but family stuff came up and there’s a ton of schoolwork and I just haven’t had energy to write. I really didn’t have time to sit down and write this out today, but I did it (it could really use some feedback).

Etro may have gone too far. 

“Farewell, dear Noctis.”

He clawed at the air in an attempt to get close again, but life continued to pull him back. Luna could only offer a smile and a sylleblossom as she faded back into the dark shroud. Then there was nothing.

Her task as the Oracle was complete. She had awaken the Astrals and forged Covenants with them. Noctis had been close behind to fulfill his part; there were only two gods left for him to encounter. The Covenants sapped away Luna's life, but they would help Noctis become a great king, and bring back light to the world.

She didn't mourn now; she had already done so with Gentiana while visiting her home briefly before going to Altissia. Fenestala Manor had served as Luna's prison for thirteen years, but she could never hate her home. She had wanted to see it one last time, to gather what strength she could before Summoning Leviathan. Ravus had wanted to lock her away again, to keep her safe.

They had mourned together briefly shortly before the end, when he finally understood that Luna had to go through with the Covenants, and that Noctis was a worthy king. She had mourned that she wouldn't be able to stand beside him as she had hoped since she was young. But she would watch over him.

In the darkness, Luna could finally rest, the weight of the Covenants lifted from her. With her death, she had paid for her part and was released. There was nothing else she could do now but rest.

As she succumbed to her death, letting whatever would happen happen, there was a glimmer in the darkness. A white light appeared ahead of her. It grew in intensity and size, blinding Luna. When it finally dimmed slightly, a giant woman stood before her, shining bright.

“Lunafreya,” She greeted with a kind smile. Her eyes were gentle.

The princess became more aware of herself in this dark place. The woman before her made her apprehensive: Luna had spent her entire life learning about the Astrals and their messengers. This towering woman held the divine power of an Astral, but Luna did not recognize her. She was more than a messenger, yet there were only six Astrals.

“Don't be alarmed,” The woman said. “I mean no harm. I only wish to speak with you, and offer you another chance at life.”

Luna shook her head wearily. This must be some sort of test she had never heard about. A test from the Astrals to tempt her with life that she had been held back from, in order to test her dedication and sacrifice. “My work is done. The fate of the world rests with the Chosen King now.”

“A king is only as good as those he surrounds himself with,” The woman stated, then observed her for a moment. “Even you do not know who I am.”

“I do not.” Luna shook her head again. Gods were usually upset when not properly recognized, but not this one. She had a kindness that reminded Luna of Gentiana, but without the coldness she had grown so accustom to.

“Do you know the full details of the prophecy?”

It was another thing Luna had known her whole life, even when she was young. She had been the only one to know she would die young, and had kept that secret so it wouldn't hurt others.

“After facing the revelations and forging the Covenants, the Chosen King will restore light to the world, and rid it of darkness,” Luna had learned it by rote.

“At the cost of his life, just as it had been for you,” The woman adds.

The Oracle glanced down. She had known that as well, and the thought of her bright childhood friend dying as well had been harder to accept than her own death. “It is for the good of the world.”

“What good can you possibly do for the world when you're both dead?”

Luna looked up at her again. Wouldn't it have more sense to have Ramuh, the Judge, oversee such a test? “Who are you?”

The question pleased the shining woman. “There is much Bahamut has kept from you. The world has forgotten much of what it was before the War of the Astrals, before the Draconian gave the Lucis Caelums their Crystal and Ring, and the Oracles his Trident.”

Despite her apprehension, Luna was curious of what she had to say. This was a strange test of faith. “Were you an Astral?”

The Six would consider such a thought as heresy. It should never occur to an Oracle, who was the conduit between gods and men. The woman grinned.

“I still am. I am Etro, goddess of death, chaos, and dreams,” She explained. “I was the patron deity of the Lucis Caelums before Bahamut. While Ifrit ruled over Solheim, I lived among the people in Tenebrae. I loved humanity in a time when the Six did not, and for that, I was banished to the Kingdom of the Dead. Bahamut took my place with the Lucis Caelums and created his prophecy. The Six had me erased from the world, as if I never existed.”

Luna had never heard of such a story before. It could all be a lie. Etro made some strong arguments, though: not much was known of history before Solheim and the Astral War, much less the history of the Astrals then. It was one thing that an Astral had ruled over a people—it was even expected for the time—but it was bewildering to think an Astral would choose to live among mortals, instead of ruling over them. Hardly anything was known of the ancient rulers of Tenebrae before the first Oracles.

“It was over 2000 years before I was able to escape. Bahamut has changed the world so much. The only magic left is his, and he controls it with an iron fist.” Etro frowned at the thought. “The prophecy does not have to happen as he has dictated.”

This was the final part of the test. Luna shook her head again. “It is the only way. Mortals must pay for the darkness in the world. I am glad to have given my life to fight back the darkness.”

It had to be the right answer. Etro was not pleased, however. “You may not know me, but I know you, Lunafreya. It is not in you to succumb to fate.”

“It was for the good of the world,” The Oracle repeated. “I have fulfilled my duty.”

“You cannot fight back the darkness from the Kingdom of the Dead,” The goddess pointed out. “Your death has taken light from the world. Without you, the darkness encroaches even faster. The dark days will be long, and much of the world will die. They are coming regardless of the Covenants, and regardless of what Noctis does.”

Admittedly, Luna did not know much of what was to come to the world. She had assumed it meant the Starscourge would become even more prevalent. The scriptures had been vague about what was to come, and she had never received divine revelation of it. All she had been concerned with was her duty—her duty was what was supposed to keep such devastating dark days from occurring.

“What would you have me do?” Luna asked. “I cannot possibly return to life. The Covenants have taken all I have.”

“You were released from the Covenants upon your death,” Etro explained. She smiled. “But in forging a Covenant with me, you may be restored to life. The magic of the Oracle will be restored to you by me. The Covenant will not weigh on your life, because you have already paid with it.”

It went against what Luna had been taught about Covenants. In fact, Etro's Covenant seemed to work backwards compared to the Six. Now it wasn't so clear whether this was a test, or truly a hidden goddess trying to save the world. The Draconian had always seemed so harsh: the prophecy had to happen just so, and already so many lives were lost. Etro's compassion was already evident. She wanted to save the world because of her love for mortals; Bahamut never had such love, and required so much loss.

Luna was being offered a future, one in which she could stand beside Noctis and help him. Perhaps she might even see Ravus happy at last.

What could the Astrals possibly be testing her on now? Hadn't she paid with her life, proven her dedication to the world? And for that, they had her sacrifice herself, taking herself out of the world she needed to help. What mattered most was saving the world, not proving her faith to the gods.

Etro wasn't testing Luna, though. She truly was offering another chance at life. Luna had set out to forge Covenants with all of the Astrals in order to fight the darkness. She would never be able to do so with Ifrit. There was too much at stake not to forge a Covenant with this new, hidden goddess. Etro's domains suggested that she would want the world to fall to darkness, but her love of the world proved otherwise.

“I accept,” Luna finally agreed to the Covenant. Usually, it was the god that had to be convinced to agree to it. Already Etro's Covenant was working backwards compared to all the others Luna had made.

The goddess gave a gentle smile again. “Then I will return you back to life with my Blessing. The magic of the Oracle will be restored to you, but it will work differently from what you're used to. You will not be alone: three others already have my Blessing. I will deliver you unto them. They will look after you as you recover. The youngest of the three will be able to guide you on your Blessing. The four of you must stay together during the dark days.”

Luna nodded to it all. She hadn't expected there to be others; the gods only ever interacted with the Oracle and the Lucis Caelums. She wondered what Etro's Blessing entailed for them. It was a relief to know she would not be alone when she returned to the world—Gentiana had had to leave her side before Leviathan's Summoning. She would not return. The Six would condemn this Covenant.

“Noctis goes to forge the last Covenant with Bahamut in Niflheim,” Etro said. “Save him before the Draconian takes him.”

“I will,” Luna vowed.

With a parting smile, the light around Etro began to dim, taking her with it into the darkness. “Until we speak again, Lunafreya.”

She faded away, and there was nothing.

[echoes-of-the-clockwork]

Book Four: War (Gladiolus x Reader) Chapter Five

(Y/n) headed back to the chocobo with the boys hot on her tail. She wasn't upset that they found out who she was because she would've eventually told them sooner or later. Although, she did wish it could've been a secret just a little longer.

"Hold on, (Y/n)!" Noctis shouted.

War stopped, spinning around to face the boys. An emotionless expression was glued to her face. "What?"

"You really can't expect us not to ask questions after that bombshell, are you?"

"Why does it matter?" She sneered. "All of that's in the past and I'm trying to forget it."

"Can you at least tell us a little bit?" Prompto begged.

"Like what?" She groaned.

"Y'know, your kingdom!"

Her (e/c) eyes stared off into the distance as memories of her birthplace played inside her head. Seeing as giving them some information wouldn't hurt, she told them about her kingdom and the time of her rule. "Vanaheim was the sister kingdom of Niflheim. I was crowned queen when I was only twelve because my father died of an illness. Some...things happened and now Vanaheim lies at the bottom of the ocean."

"What did Gentiana mean by the crimson queen?" Noctis pried.

A sorrowful frown manifested on the horseman's face. The nickname brought back bloodied, painful memories of her tyrannical rule. The guilt from what she did as queen returned tenfold. "If I told you the truth, you'd probably never wish to see me again."

Noctis was about to ask another question, but Ignis stopped him. "We've pried too much. Our apologies, (Y/n)."

"It's only natural to be curious of the unknown," War mumbled. She turned her back to them. "Sorry, but I need to clear my head. I'll catch up with you guys later..."

Teleporting, War traveled to Galdin Quay. She appeared on the sandy beach, collapsing to the ground. It made her happy to see the rain caused by Ramuh wasn't affecting the Leide region. She laid on her back in the sand with a heavy, melancholic sigh. Staring up at the sky, an image of one of the many innocent people she killed in Vanaheim resurfaced in her mind. Her sword pierced the young woman's chest, blood splattering across the white marble floor in the throne room. She remembered watching the life vanish from the woman's eyes as she fell lifeless to the floor.

Covering her face with her arm, (Y/n) hid the tears that formed in her eyes. Although she wanted to blame Gaius for manipulating her, it was by her hand she killed so many. Her love for him blinded her from the truth. He was the puppeteer and she was the marionette he manipulated. By the time she reached her senses, it was too late.

"Ahhh," a voice sighed. "I miss lounging around on a beach."

War recognized the tone of voice and lowered her arm. "Not sure how good it'd be for you to lounge on the beach with how pale you are, Death. You'd fry easily in the sun."

"Hey, I wasn't this pale in my previous life," Death retorts playfully. "Then again, I still burnt pretty easily back then too."

(Y/n) chuckled in amusement. "Sunburn sucks."

"I agree one hundred percent." Death laid beside her sister on the sand. "So, what's bothering you?"

"The boys know who I was in my previous life," the redhead confessed.

"Is...that a good or bad thing?"

"Neither. I really don't care that they know."

"Then why're you out here, crying?" Death inquired.

"Just...old, painful memories resurfacing..." War answered.

"Ah, I know that feeling all too well," the inky-haired girl said. "But I know my memories are not as painful as yours. Out of the four of us, your past is the most painful. If I could go back and change what happened, I would."

"I was my own downfall," (Y/n) whimpered. "Blinded by love, I didn't see the monster standing before me. But still, I was the one who did the killing."

"You were a puppet used by Gaius. He did all his dirty deeds through you because he couldn't get his own hands dirty."

War pushed herself up into a sitting position. "That bastard convinced me so many people were plotting against me. In the end, the one I should've killed was him."

"But in the end, you were victorious!" Death chanted. "You were able to summon Leviathan and stopped Gaius from claiming Vanaheim for Niflheim!"

"I destroyed the entire kingdom!" The redhead bellowed in anger. "I ordered a god to drown everything! I may have stopped Gaius, but only at the cost of all the people who called Vanaheim home."

"I wish I could say I know how you feel, but I can't," Death sorrowfully muttered. "But please, don't let the past blind you and stop you from seeing what could become of your future. We may be immortal, but that doesn't mean we should give up on our futures."

(Y/n) hugged her knees against her chest. "How is it you, Famine, and Pestilence always find the time to be happy and philosophical?"

The inky-haired girl giggled. "Once you leave the past behind, you'll be able to find happiness. And, of course, be philosophical all you want. But for now, just take some time to gather your thoughts. If you ever need any of us, you know how to contact us."

"Thanks, Death," the redhead smiled.

Death smiled back. "Take care, War."

(Y/n) watched her sister disappear before throwing herself back on the sand. She gazed up at the sky, focusing on the white puffy clouds sailing by. "My own happiness..." She whispered to herself. "Is that even possible for me...?"

<------------<<<<<

A few days later, (Y/n) composed herself and her thoughts. She accepted some of what she did when she was a queen, but not all. Deciding to regroup with the royal retinue, she did her best to detect the summoning orb. When she did, she decided to give herself some more time and summoned Ares. Hopping onto the horse's back, she rode in the direction she sensed the orb.

In the afternoon, the Horseman arrived at Sothmocke Haven. She dismounted Ares and walked up to the top of the large rune-carved stone. Seeing the tent set up and the boys relaxing around the campfire, she couldn't deny the fact that she was happy they were safe. With a stoic expression, she made her presence known. "Hey."

All eyes fell on her. Prompto waves at her with a smile while Gladio smirked as she sauntered over towards them. Noctis and Ignis were happy to see War was safe and back together with them.

"Welcome back, firecracker," Gladio grinned.

"Again with the ridiculous nickname," she grumbled. Looking away from Gladio, she met Noctis' gaze. "I see you've claimed the Mark of the Fulgurian. Now you've received the favor of two Astrals."

"Yeah, well, I was getting sick of the rain," Noctis sighed. "Speaking of Astrals, you once earned their favor."

War blinked in surprise. "How'd you know that?"

"I spoke with Gentiana again." He leaned forward in his seat. "Does it ever get any easier?"

"No, it doesn't," she answers honestly. "It'll only get more difficult from here on out. That's why I'm gonna teach you a few things. It's the least I can do."

"You mean like with the armiger and warping?"

"Yes."

"How can you even do all that?" Noctis asked.

"Lucis isn't the only kingdom that was gifted a crystal. Vanaheim was also gifted one. But now my kingdom's Crystal lies at the bottom of the ocean with the rest of Vanaheim. I was only able to retain my abilities because the Crystal is still active." She combed a few crimson strands of hair behind her ear. "But before we do any training, why're you four camped so close to an imperial stronghold?"

"Cindy found the car!" Prompto announced gleefully.

"Which is currently inside that stronghold," Gladio added.

"You plan on infiltrating such a heavily defended stronghold?" She crossed her arms. "That's a hefty task for just the four of you."

"You plannin' on joining us?"

A mischievous glint shines in her (e/c) eyes. "Only if I get to destroy things."

"I don't see why not."

"Then will you serve as a distraction, (Y/n)?" Ignis asked.

"Leave it to me," she replied.

"Since that's settled..." Noctis stood up. "Show me some of your tricks, (Y/n)."

War and the prince walked a short ways from the haven. Gladio and Prompto tagged along, curious as to what the Horseman was going to teach Noctis. Ignis remained behind, deciding to get a head-start on dinner.

(Y/n) took a few steps away from Noctis. "Let's start with the armiger." Out of the blue, myriads of weapons materialized around the girl.

He stared in amazement at how many weapons she had and the large variety. "Damn. How many weapons are there?"

"Thirty. But unlike your ancestral weapons, mine are those of the enemies conquered by Vanaheim. Each one has a dark origin tied to it. But let's leave that for now and focus on your armiger. It may lack the weaponry like mine, but that means nothing if you know how to wield it." She dispelled her armiger, grinning widely. "Hope you're ready, Noctis. I won't go easy on you."

Gladio and Prompto watched from the sideline as (Y/n) taught Noctis how to wield the armiger in different ways. Both were amazed at how the prince's full attention was into the training and how he wasn't complaining after an hour.

Another hour passed and the Horseman moved on to warping. She taught Noctis a few of her techniques that she knew would be beneficial in the future.

By the time she ended the lesson, Ignis finished dinner. Noctis and Prompto dashed off, their stomachs growling simply just thinking about food. (Y/n) watched the two run back to the haven while combing a hand through her crimson locks.

"Hey." Gladio walked over to her. "Thanks for teachin' him."

"Like I said, it's the least I can do," she sighed. "I know what it feels like to have so much weight on your shoulders. I pity Noctis yet I envy him."

"You envy Noct?" He scoffed lightly. "Why?"

"Because he has people like you, Prompto, and Ignis by his side. When I was queen, I thought I had someone I could share my burdens with. Turns out he was just a manipulative asshole who was using me to accomplish his true goal."

"This guy..." Gladio's voice lowered. "His name wouldn't happen to be Gaius, would it?"

Her (e/c) eyes widen in horror. "How the hell did you know that?"

"The nightmare. It's becoming clearer. So, you gonna tell me who he was or do I have to wait for this nightmare to get worse?"

Her eyes narrowed into a glare. "Why do you even care?"

"Because every time I close my eyes at night, I see that asshole kill you," he remarked.

"Listen, I don't know why or how you're having this nightmare, but what you're seeing is my death over and over again. While I was queen of Vanaheim, a boy I knew since childhood was appointed as my advisor. We did everything together and I eventually fell in love with him. I confessed my feelings and so did he. For five whole years, I thought he loved me. Turns out, he never did and was only trying to take Vanaheim away from underneath me. That bastard twisted my mind and made me believe every word that came out of his mouth. The moment I was no longer of use to him was when he stabbed me from behind." (Y/n) clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms. "Now that I've told you, are you satisfied?"

Gladio heard the hurt in her voice as she spoke about her past. He regretted asking, but at the same he was happy to know a little more about her. "Yeah, sorry for pryin'."

"I'm going to scout the stronghold," she said, desperate to change the subject.

"You don't wanna enjoy Iggy's cooking?" He asked.

"I'm basically a walking corpse and no longer need to eat. What would be the point?" She didn't wait for Gladio's response and left.

<------------<<<<<

Once finished scouting Aracheole Stronghold, (Y/n) returned to the haven where the boys were waiting for her. She told them what she learned, earning a thank you from Ignis.

After sharing everything she knew, the group departed from the haven. Back at Aracheole Stronghold, the Horseman excused herself in order to begin her diversion. She wandered into the stronghold, setting her sights on the one area that caught her attention during her earlier scouting. A grin made its way onto her face as she stood in front of the lines of mechs that were freshly assembled. She looked around, noticing the MTs and soldiers on duty had yet to notice her presence. Cracking her fingers, she held out her hands. "I've always wanted to do this."

Using her powerful fire magic, War created a large fiery vortex. She watched with a wicked grin as it toasted the large mechs. The hunk of metals and wires turned into piles of molten metal because of the extreme heat while others exploded. Because of the fiery vortex and the loud explosions, she was able to gain the attention of every enemy within the stronghold.

The Horseman was quickly surrounded. Soldiers aimed their guns at her while the MTs waited for their orders to attack. She tapped her chin, humming in curiosity. "Swords, bows, pistols..." Her eyes widen as she grinned, snapping her fingers. "Javelins!" Summoning a handful of javelins, she manipulated them with ease. The javelins soared through the air, impaling the imperial forces.

Within seconds, she killed a majority of the enemies surrounding her. A few bullets pierced her body, but she was unfazed as they were absorbed into her body and the bullet hole wounds healed. Seeing this, the remaining soldiers retreated in fear. Unfortunately, the MTs didn't follow their allies and continued to attack her. She easily wiped them out with her javelins before dematerializing her weapons. Looking around at the various bodies splayed across the ground, she sighed. "This wasn't as fun as I thought it'd be..."

Moving to another part of the base where they were manufacturing airships, (Y/n) got to work destroying them. She dragged her finger across the side of one of the airship, creating a large crack in the exterior. Backing away, she smirked in satisfaction when seeing flames erupt from the crack. Before long, the air vessel exploded and destroyed even more airships. The fiery explosion lit up the night sky, fueling the girl's need to destroy even more.

Setting her sights on the horde of MTs running straight for her, War summoned a bow and fired arrow after arrow. Each one pierced the metallic skull of an enemy. She watched in amusement as they fell like flies.

Suddenly, (Y/n) felt a familiar god-like presence. Looking up, she saw Ramuh. The feeling of overwhelming power washed over her as the Astral used his power to kill the remaining imperial forces residing within the stronghold. A small smile appeared on her face. "Looks like Noctis did it."

Just as the Fulgurian vanished, the sun peeked over the horizon. The redhead ridded herself of her bow, hearing nothing but her heart racing from the adrenaline rush. Seeing her job was done, she decided to search for the royal retinue. Wandering around the entire base, she finally found the boys and the car they'd been desperately searching for.

From her peripheral, she saw a person she'd encounter on a couple of occasions while traveling across Eos-Ravus Nox Flueret. He'd been a pain in her side due to his and the empire's interference in her mission to slay the monsters that escaped from the Inner Sanctum. She knew exactly why he wanted the creatures and wouldn't allow him to do as he pleased with such dangerous, unpredictable creatures.

From her perch, she watched Ravus approach the boys. She kept her eyes glued to them, keeping her distance. Her plan was to avoid interfering, but that idea went out the window when Ravus threatens Noctis with his blade. The heterochromia-eyed man slowly raises his sword above his head, then brings it down fiercely. Gladio briefly blocks it with his own sword before Ravus parries the weapon away and slams the pommel of his sword into the shield's chest, sending him flying into the side of the Regalia. Prompto runs to check on Gladio while Noctis gets between them and Ravus.

Unable to stand by any longer, (Y/n) summoned multiple javelins and sent them towards Ravus. Sworn to not harm any mortals, she manipulated the javelins and created a makeshift cage around Ravus. The moment the man spotted her, she hopped down from her perch and sauntered over.

"You..." Ravus growled.

"Still being a pain in the ass, I see," War groaned.

"Your presence on Eos is a plague, Horseman," he spat.

"I'm pretty sure many would say the same about you," she hissed.

Suddenly, Ardyn appears and joins their conversation. "Now, now. I'd say that's far enough. A hand, Highness?"

"Not from you," Noctis spat.

"Oh, but I'm here to help."

Ignis was skeptical of the chancellor's sudden appearance. "And how is that?"

"By taking the army away," he explained.

"You expect us to believe that?" Gladio growled.

"When next we meet, it'll be across the sea. Just so happens we have business of our own with the tutelary deity. Don't we?" Ardyn looks at Ravus before glancing at (Y/n). "My dear, would you..." He gestured to the javelins entrapping his ally.

Reluctantly, War released Ravus. The javelins vanished, allowing him to go free. Ardyn thanked her before looking back at Noctis. "Fare thee well, Your Majesty, and safe travels." Ravus and Ardyn walk away, leaving the group behind.

Prompto looked around at the faces of his friends. "You guys know that guy?"

"Ravus Nox Fleuret, first son of Tenebrae...and elder brother to Lady Lunafreya," Ignis said.

"How do you know him, (Y/n)?" Noctis asked.

"Bastard's been a thorn in my side ever since I came to Eos. He's allied himself with the empire and desires to use the monsters from the Inner Sanctum as puppets. I'm not sure why the empire believes they can control such creatures. They're not like daemons or the beasts native to Eos. They're unpredictable and dangerous. That's why they were sealed away within the Inner Sanctum. And if we thought mortals could handle them, there wouldn't be any need for me and my sisters to be here." She walked over to Gladio and offered him a helping hand.

The shield was surprised at her gesture but accepted it regardless. She helped him to his feet, where she healed him and the others. "Thanks for that, (Y/n)," he said.

"Let's just get the hell outta here."

[charlottedabookworm]

I know I mentioned it to you before, but I just - just. Well. In the Ardynson!Nyx saves Insomnia 'verse - or any 'verse where Bahumut finds out whose son he is - I just can't help but picture Bahumut cursing Nyx to share his father's fate. By which I mean, share his father's Curse. In a grand, melodramatic fashion - Bahumut /shows up in person/ to Curse Nyx, and Nyx - would Nyx /feel/ anything, do you think, as the Curse blasted through every atom of his being? (cont)

(cont) I just. Just. Keep picturing Nyx swaying back and forth before desperately pulling a knife and slicing a finger open, only to stare, in muted shock-terror-horror, as it seamlessly seals over. And - well. He’d probably phone his father ASAP (or someone In The Know would do it for him) and Ardyn - Ardyn wouldn’t /care/ about the political situation between Lucis and Niflheim, he’d carve through seven layers of hell if necessary in order to get to Nyx’s side. (cont) 

(cont) For some reason, I picture this as happening in a ‘verse where no one (but the Galahdians) know just /what/ the Curse is, so there are Questions blazing back and forth as Nyx kneels on the marble paving stones, face blank, mind white noise. He wants his father, as he hasn’t since he was a small child (Ardyn will /hug/ him when he arrives, and not let him go). 

Oh wow. This is amazing. I feel like Nyx would feel it, mostly because I like the angst from him being able to, and the first thing he would do after staring at this rapidly healing wound would be to call Ardyn - and probably freak him out because he is in so much shock he’s lucky he’s conscious. Ardyn would lit slaughter everyone between him and Nyx if he didn’t think that Nyx would get upset about it. And you’d have all of these Galahdians - raging against Bahamut and plotting their revenge and just so pissed off - and it’s confusing the Lucians because they have no idea what’s going on. But Galahd remembers, they remember what Bahamut did to Ardyn, they know what the curse means for Nyx. And, at the minute, they really aren’t in the mood to explain. It probably wouldn’t be explained until Ardyn turns up and gets pissed off at them and just straight up stabs himself through the heart and then as it heals he verbally flays the idiot questioning him and then goes back to Nyx when he’s done.

Showing my complete lack of impulse control (once again, why am i like this?) have another snippet (this one over 2000words long. No, really. Why am I like this?). Hope you like this, tell me what you think.

Nyx wasn’t having the best of days.

The anniversary of Galahd’s fall was coming up soon, he had only gotten a couple hours of sleep due to nightmares, he had the beginnings of a migraine sitting at the back of his skull just waiting, and he was pretty sure that he was coming down with something on top of everything else. In all honesty, he felt like complete shit, but he had to work - both because he couldn’t afford to fall behind on his rent payments and also because he was certain that the King was going to want to talk to him again, especially after Niflheim’s failed invasion a couple weeks back.

So, he wasn’t having a good day, despite it being barely 8 in the morning. And, because he knew what his luck was like, he was just waiting for it to get worse.

(But he wasn’t prepared for just how bad it would get)

When he had made it to the Citadel without any incidents or things getting worse, Nyx was almost beginning to think that the day was looking up. Hells, he was actually looking forward to a couple of hours of guard duty where he wouldn’t be expected to talk to anyone. Which, of course, is when everything went completely to shit.

The giant blade that appeared from nowhere to pierce the ground in front of him - while par on course for his luck recently - was a surprise, but one that he could just about deal with. Irritating? Sure. Terrifying? Definitely. Life-ending? Not quite.

But when Bahamut appeared less than a second later, wings flared and laying a hand on the blade in an obvious warning, well. Nyx was fairly certain that he was looking at his death – his sudden, violent and painful death. He could see Regis, Clarus, and Cor in the corner of his eye and he gestured them to stay where they were - there was no need for his friends to die with him, not after all of the effort he had put into keeping them alive these last weeks.

(He was wrong. Bahamut wasn’t after his death, not quite, no that would be too simple. But, for a long time afterwards, Nyx would wish that he had been right)

“Nyx Ulric,” the Astrals voice was heavy with power, and Nyx straightened his back and raised his chin. He would die on his feet and he would not let this god look down on him – not when Nyx knew what he did. “Your continued association with the Accursed, despite being given repeated warnings to cease it, have been noted and you have been judged unworthy.” He pulled the sword from the stone and pointed it towards him. “For your crimes, it has been determined that, henceforth, you shall share in your father’s curse forevermore.” And then, with a wave of the blade and a flash of light, he was gone - his last words echoing over and over in the chamber they were in.

(Above them, thunder rumbled angrily as Ramuh saw the curse laid on his Chosen)

Nyx blinked, slightly wrongfooted over having survived an encounter with the being who he was certain would bring his death eventually. He blinked again, because shouldn’t he be able to feel something? Shouldn’t something be happening?

For a second, time itself seemed to stutter – a single moment stretching out in utter silence, everything so still that he could count the dust motes in the air, before rapidly resuming.

And then, Nyx burned.

His knees hit the ground with a loud thud, and a scream tore itself out of his throat, as every nerve ending in his body seemed to light itself on fire. Seconds seemed to stretch into eternity and his body tore itself apart and put itself back together over and over again - pain increasing to the point where he would almost pass out, craving the sheer relief that the darkness would bring, before decreasing again, allowing him brief moments of clarity before it repeated yet again. Trapping him in a never-ending cycle of torment. He felt like he was dying, as though there was fire in his veins and acid on his skin and every part of his body was in utter agony, unlike anything that he had ever experienced in his entire life, to the point that he would have preferred death over the suffering he was going through. The pain was so great that he couldn’t see anything - couldn’t hear anything, not even his own screams that ripped themselves from his throat- couldn’t even tell if he had his eyes open.

And then, nothing. Nothing but the white noise and the silence of his own thoughts and a complete lack of pain that was painful in and of itself. The pain had disappeared as suddenly as it came, leaving Nyx gasping for breath through a tortured throat as the world slowly came back to him. It took several moments for him to realise that he was on the ground - the stone cold against his back - and was being held down by Cor and Clarus as Regis watched on in horror.

He swallowed, once, twice - ignoring the pain in his throat (and how long had he been screaming? It had felt like forever but also only a few seconds and Nyx had no idea how long he had been incoherent. How long had it taken? What had even happened?) - before opening his mouth to try to speak. Nothing came out. He opened and closed his mouth a few times in silence, before clenching and unclenching his fists, he had no idea what to say. How did he explain what just happened when he himself had no idea?

A thought hit him like lightning, causing him to scramble to a sitting position - ignoring the grasping hands of his friends and the way that pain sparked along his body like static - and reach for one his kukris. Drawing it across the skin of his forearm, Nyx watched in numb shock and burgeoning horror as the wound healed over almost immediately. He did it again, and then again, and then again, over and over - each time watching in growing fear and disbelief as the wounds healed seamlessly, completely ignorant to Cor and Clarus’ attempts to take the blade from him.

(Eventually, Libertus - who had rushed into the chamber only to see his brother sitting, pale and shaking with drying tear tracks on his face, on the floor with his eyes fixed on a rapidly healing wound - took the blade off of him, staring at the wound in as much horror as Nyx was. His expression rapidly darkened with anger and understanding. Galahd would not stand for this. Nyx had done nothing to deserve this, just like Ardyn hadn’t all those centuries ago - but Nyx was theirs, their Chosen, their Hero, and Galahd would not stand for this

Because all of would Galahd recognise this curse immediately)

(Libertus ignored the shock and confusion of the Lucians around him. He didn’t bother to answer their questions or explain the situation, not when it was his brother who had been cursed. Not when it was Nyx.

Lucis would learn, eventually. They would see what the god they so venerated was capable of)

He doesn’t know how long it takes for the horror to overwhelm the shock, but when it does Nyx finds himself slowly able to think again – to feel things other than numbness, to hear something other than the static in his years, to see without the edging of white. Before he even realised it, he’s pulling his phone out and dialling a number that he knows by heart.

“Nyx?” His father sounded worried. It took a moment for Nyx to realise why, to remember that this was an emergency line and that he didn’t often call his dad directly.

“…Dad.” His voice is hoarse, and it breaks over the word.

“Nyx? Son, what is wrong?” He didn’t want to panic his dad, he knew that he didn’t want to panic his dad, but it was like he was thinking through a haze, he couldn’t help himself – couldn’t force himself to explain coherently.

“You never told me that it hurt so much.”

There was a short silence, and then his dad’s voice was back - this time with a frantic edge that Nyx wouldn’t notice until hours later, when thinking back on this conversation. “Nyx. What do you mean? Where are you? Are you injured?”

“Dad?” And suddenly all Nyx wanted was to be curled up in his fathers’ arms. He wanted his dad to tell him that he was safe and that everything would be alright and that he loved him. He felt eight and terrified and he just wanted his father to make the world go away for a while. He wanted his dad. “I- I need you.” He didn’t realise it, but he sounded so young then - like a child seeking comfort that only a parent could provide. “Please. I need you.”

(Nyx falls asleep to his fathers’ voice, to promises that he would be there soon and nonsense reassurances that make him feel safe, succumbing to the darkness while secure in the knowledge that his father will be here soon. Libertus will take the phone from his hands and speak to the person on the other side before hanging up. They move Nyx to a hospital room in the Citadel and Libertus refuses to answer any questions, will say nothing but “Bahamut Cursed him” to whoever asked and then not explain any further.

For the Lucians, this means nothing. To their knowledge, Bahamut has never cursed anyone before. But to the Galahdian 'glaives, this means everything. Because Galahd remembers. They remember Ardyn and Somnus – remember the Sage and the Mystic, remember the Healer King of Solheim. So, when Libertus tells them this, they curse and rage and swear - before saying that they will call a meeting and let everyone know – because they understand what this means for Nyx. Lucis is ignorant, but Galahd knows

And they will make Him pay)

(6 hours later, Libertus disappears from Nyx’s side without warning after he gets a phone call. He goes to the wall and meets with Ardyn - who had stolen an Airship from Niflheim in order to make the trip as quickly as possible, who had only contacted Libertus because Nyx would be sad if Ardyn had to kill his way through Insomnia in order to get to his son - and explains the situation while on the way to the Citadel.

Ardyn stills, goes silent and deadly and relaxed the way that all great predators go when angry. His eyes flash yellow and his blood turns black, but his voice remains steady and calm as he questions his sons oldest friend.

He cannot rage, not while his son needs him. But he will. Oh, he will.

Bahamut will regret cursing his innocent son for nought but the blood in his veins. Ardyn has had 2000 years to plan revenge, and now he has all of the motivation in the world to focus purely on Bahamut)

(The two barge into Nyx’s room, ignoring the shoats and drawn weapons from all that recognise Ardyn, shoats that wake Nyx from his half-slumber. Libertus will stop them from attacking, will stand in the way and explain that this is Nyx’s father and they would not stop him from going to him. Because Nyx deserved that comfort, needed his father at the minute and Ardyn was as good as Galahdian after all of these years – Lucis would not harm another of theirs.

And Ardyn?

Ardyn will take his son into his arms and mutter reassurances into his hair, will talk to him softly in a language that has been considered dead for longer than Insomnia has existed. He will stroke his son’s hair and tuck him into his bed like he hasn’t since his son was 12. He will reach for his son as Nyx reaches for him and neither of them will care about who else is in the room.

Because Ardyn is a father first, and right now he didn’t care about politics or plans. His son needed him)

(Eventually, someone will explain exactly what it means that Nyx was cursed to the Lucians. They will explain exactly what it was that Bahamut had done - and all because Nyx loved his father, all because Ardyn’s blood was in Nyx’s veins, all because Nyx refused to kill the man who raised him.

Lucis will learn that Bahamut didn’t care about whether you were innocent. Galahd will make them understand that you were only safe as long as you followed Bahamut’s plans. But the minute you didn’t? The moment you decided to choose for yourself? Decided that you wanted to live your own life? Decided that you didn’t want to die?

Well, there were two examples of what happened when you did that in Lucis at this very moment)

[robininthelabyrinth]

Fic: Nocturne (16/30) - Ao3 Link

Fandom: Final Fantasy XV Pairings: Mostly Gen (variety later to come)

Summary: In which Cor Leonis loses his temper, accidentally acquires a kid, and tries to single-handedly dismantle the Lucian immigration system – and that’s before he and his lawyers find out about this Prophecy business. If the Astrals think Cor’s going to let his kid’s best friend die without a fight, they’ve gotten the wrong cheetah ‘taur.

(a young adult novel set in @kickingshoes’ ‘taur AU)

—————————————————————————————— ——————————————————————————————

Cyrella's driving with the kids today, Luna in the front seat and Noctis and Ignis in the back since neither Gladio nor Prompto were feeling well enough to make the trip. Personally, Cyrella's glad for it: fewer kids means fewer targets to keep watch over, in her mind.

Poor little Ignis, though - he's an old ‘taur in a child's body, that one, and he's been distressed ever since the doctors decided against letting the other two kids come.

Maybe it's just that Gladio's not coming.

Cyrella might not be the romantic that her husband is, or that her son is turning into, but she's not blind to the adorable elementary school crush her son has on Ignis Scientia, or the rather bemusedly oblivious-to-his-own-feelings one that Ignis has back on Gladio.

She hopes that baby Iris will take more after her own no-nonsense sort of approach to romance. Look at her and Clarus, after all: they met in a bar fight, she put him in his place and convinced him to swap to her side of the fight, and then she observed both that their fighting styles were fantastically compatible and that he possessed a very attractive set of shoulders and an equally stunning set of hindquarters, and, with that settled, she decided she'd marry him one day.

Oh, sure, he insisted on mailing her cactus flowers and roses for months with notes about how the combination of prickly spines and beautiful petals reminded him of her, which she found very charming, yes, but the decision was entirely practical.

At least Gladio and Ignis are a little less tooth-rottingly sweet than little Noctis and Prompto, who hold hands everywhere and proclaim at a moment's notice that they're going to get married themselves. Aulea is already entertaining herself by planning the ceremony.

Of course, the second Cyrella gets the children all seated, the stupid car starts making a disturbing clicking noise the second she turns it on.

Annoying, yes, but it doesn't seem to be impeding the engine from turning on, and that's most of what Cyrella cares about.

She starts backing out of the garage, but doesn't get more than a few seconds of driving in before she's interrupted.

"Oh! Hold up! Stop the car!" Luna exclaims. "Turn it off again; I know what's wrong!"

And up and back out of the car she goes, popping open the trunk and fiddling around in there for a moment before she ducks under the car entirely.

"Something you learned from Cindy?" Cyrella asks dryly, resigning herself to an existence surrounded by adorable childhood romances and at least one lesbian love triangle.

At least her life isn't boring.

"Yes," Luna says, emerging from underneath the car. She's a bit greasy now, but luckily she's wearing one of Scientia's old college jumpers over her pretty frock and the stains are not drastic enough for Cyrella to feel like she needs to make her go change. A bit of grease and dirt is good for someone of Luna's age, anyway.

Cyrella does note that Luna keeps exchanging meaningful glances with Ignis instead of blushing and spluttering the way she usually does whenever Cindy is brought up. "I've fixed it as best as I can for now," she says. "The way the engine was going originally, with that sound, the car would've broken down halfway to Hammerhead. As it is, we should make it to Hammerhead, no problem, but after that I'm not sure..."

"I'm sure we can swap out cars there," Cyrella says dismissively. Cid always keeps a few extra cars in the back; she'll take one of those. Cid will agree. Cid usually agrees when she asks him for things, even if he usually mutters something about marrying giants and swords longer than he is tall. Whatever; it's not her fault that he's short. "Say, have you heard from that Galahdian girl, Crowe, recently?"

Ah, there's the spluttering she expected.

Cyrella finally gets the car out of the garage and drives happily onwards, smiling as Ignis and Noctis take up the banner of teasing, and thinks to herself that just maybe, her husband has a point with how amusing these childhood romances are.

Libertus kind of wishes Nyx and Hemera were here.

Don't get him wrong – he's glad to get a chance to do some work outside the shadow of the Hero Twins! He loves them like his own blood, he does, as much as he loves that Crowe kid he's all but adopted and been adopted in turn by her parents, but damn if it don't sometimes get old with them all but cartwheeling into combat and coming out smelling like roses having saved another half-dozen lives or whatnot. Not to mention all the crazy shit they lead him into if he's not watching himself carefully – all good, useful missions in the end, but also generally crazier than coeurl gone cuckoo, by and large.

So he's not necessarily upset about getting a mission of his own, y'know?

It's just – maybe not this mission.

There's the kids, for one thing – Prince Noctis, who's going to save the world, and little Iggy, who saved Libertus' own furry hindquarters and can't stop calling him Li-bear-tus no matter how serious the situation and who's ten times smarter than Libertus is ever gonna be – and Libertus just plain old isn't great with kids. He swears too much, which at least has the benefit of making them laugh even if he's pretty sure Mrs. Amicitia is going to murder him and leave his body in a ditch somewhere if he doesn't stop. He can't help it - he just gets really nervous because he doesn't know how to deal with them. Whenever there are kids, Libertus strongly prefers having people around him who actually know what they're doing.

Which he guesses he has. After all, there’s the Marshal and the Shield and the Shield's wife who probably ought to be called the Sword based on the big-ass greatsword she usually has strapped to her back; they all have kids, so clearly they’ve got to be half-decent at keeping an eye on them. It's not even his job to be watching the kids! It just makes him nervous, having them around; that's all.

There’s the fact that they’re (secretly) on a mission to go find Ramuh and demand that he cooperate in some sort of Covenant which he may or may not be into, and Libertus might not be the most religiously observant guy on Eos but he still feels like that’s a bad idea – and if he didn’t, the storm would’ve made him think twice.

Oh yes.

And then there's the storm.

Now, Libertus is Galahdian, born and bred, so don't get him wrong, he's not afraid of no storm. Compared to the yearly hurricanes he's used to, especially the big ones like old Gordo that hit the year he was born and every ten years since, this endless rain and lightning and thunder is nothing.

Sure, he's never been knee-deep in muck and mud quite like this, with the sky blacked out and no ocean anywhere in sight and daemons capable of coming from all around in every direction, right in the middle of a big giant looming forest that somehow feels so much bigger and older and more menacing than the jungles of Galahd. He's never had to hear the howling of wild creatures coming from every direction, so loud that it's actually competing with the sound of the wind. He's never had to drive down paved streets so slick with water that it's like they're considering becoming rivers because there's no ocean for the water to drain away into.

He's used to seeing lightning coming in from the ocean horizon right before it rolls in and hits you, giving you at least a few seconds warning to go find shelter; he's never willingly gone out right in the center of a storm the way he's doing right now, walking into a bunch of flammable trees like an absolute moron, with the rain coming down so hard it leaves bruises the whole time.

He's also never had to try to mount a goddamn Chocobo that don't want no bear on its back just as much as Libertus don't want to be on it, since apparently they're traveling into the center of the forest by Chocobo whether they like it or not.

He's very firmly in the 'not' camp, himself.

"Do you require assistance, Li-bear-tus?" a very familiar voice asks.

Sure enough, it's little Iggy the egghead, and unlike Libertus, he's sitting just fine on his Chocobo, all curled up and dignified just like in the instruction manuals.

"I'm fine," Libertus grunts, then reconsiders. He likes Iggy plenty; he might be a kid, but he's one smart cookie. "Actually, no. I can't get my balance on this damn bird."

"Well, you're a bear," Iggy says. "You have a good center of balance, unlike some of us – you don't need to try to sit side-saddle. I would suggest trying to settle straight down on the saddle, lying on your belly the way you would for a motorcycle, with your legs hanging down on either side."

Libertus tries it, and sure enough it works a lot better than the elegant sprawl all the cats are doing. "Thanks, kid."

"My pleasure," Iggy says. "You'll be one of the ones helping guard us, right?"

"I'm actually just assigned to be look-out," Libertus explains. "I'm bringing up the back, just off on the right wing –"

"That's fine," Iggy says brightly. "We'll ride over and find you once we get going; that'll be far more interesting than listening to the adults complain about visibility."

"What? No, wait, you don't –"

"Oh, I know we don't have to. We want to. See you later!"

Iggy clicks his hooves and somehow that works to get his Chocobo moving, and Libertus can't figure out the equivalent fast enough to catch up with the kid long enough to explain that they're supposed to be in the center of the pack for their own protection, damnit.

"Oh, Lord of the Storm," Libertus moans, rubbing his eyes. This is a disaster – they're going to come find him right on the edge of the group, and then they'll refuse to leave, and then they're all going to get attacked by daemons, and die, and it'll all be Libertus' fault...he’s gotta do something to stop this. "Hey, Pelna!"

Pelna, a canidaetaur refugee from Niflheim and brand-new Kingsglaive member who somehow manages to be even younger than Nyx and Hemera and twice as cocky, which up until he'd arrived Libertus had thought would be impossible, turns to blink at him. Or maybe he's blinking the rain out of his eyes. Whatever, either way, he's listening.

"Can we swap positions?" Libertus asks urgently. "You're leading the right flank, yeah? Advance position? The storm's got all this muck up, and one look-out post's as good as another, innit?"

"Except for the part where the front lead is expected to see fighting and the back isn't," Pelna points out with a slight grin, but then he shrugs. They've all had plenty of opportunities to get in the thick of it for fighting recently. "Any reason for wanting the swap?"

"Looks like the route's going to take us around the lake – swamp – body of water, whatever – and the only thing worse than wading next to a pond in a storm is being the heaviest guy around wading after everyone's had a chance to rip up the earth with their paws to make it easier for you to sink." This is true, even if Libertus had already mostly resigned himself to it.

He can't tell Pelna that he's trying to get away from some kids because he gets itchy when he has too much responsibility over anyone under the age of reason. That would just be embarrassing.

Pelna sniggers. "Yeah, good point. I don't mind swapping this time, if next time you let me swap with you when I want the better position. Should we clear it with the Captain?"

"Why?" Libertus asks with a shrug. "You know he doesn't care who does what as long as everyone knows where they are and what they're doing at crunch time; that's why we're all trained as all-around fighters. And you know how he's always going on and on about how they don't give us enough Kingsglaive to make allowances for personal comfort..."

"You mean right after he's complained that we don't get treated as good as the mostly Insomnia-born Crownsguard, and right before he starts implying that they think we're expendable and disposable pieces that can be swapped out at will?" Pelna jokes. He's been in the Glaive long enough to be familiar with their Captain's occasional diatribe. "Sure, I know. He usually throws in a few compliments about how flexible and multipurpose we are in there, too – but, you know, he doesn't like it when you swap once something's already started..."

"Would you really consider us to have 'started'?" Libertus asks, looking around him pointedly. Everyone's still struggling with their Chocobos or their clothing or their bags or something. Nobody’s exactly what anyone would call battle-ready.

Pelna laughs again. "Yeah, point. Sure. See you on the other side."

Then he, too, clicks his Chocobo into motion and is off like the wind. Damn, Libertus really needs to figure out how to get his own bird moving like that.

Maybe not exactly like that. A slower version would be much more his speed.

Well, at least he can comfort himself with the knowledge that he's avoided the problem of lagging behind and losing the kitlings.

"How," he says flatly two hours later, two adorable children beaming up at him from atop their Chocobos and under their little ponchos, umbrellas having been rendered useless by the wind. "I'm not even..."

"We checked there first," Iggy says, wincing a little as a giant roll of thunder comes in. "And Pelna said you'd be here, so we came here."

"I don't think you should be this far forward," Libertus protests. "At least at the old position, you were lagging behind, but this is out front – it could be dangerous –"

Thunder rumbles again.

"It's fine," Noctis says soothingly. "We asked the Marshal, and he said sure."

"Does he even know where I'm located – wait. The Marshal is Crownsguard. He doesn't even have authority over my position! That's why Captain Drautos came along, so he could supervise everything personally!"

"Yes, but Cor is the one ultimately in charge of guarding us," Noctis says, clearly unconcerned. "And he said we should go up front."

Another flash of lightning, and more thunder almost immediately. They're near the center of the storm, now.

Libertus frowns. That doesn't sound right - the Marshal is a terrifying figure who is highly unorthodox, but even he's not so unorthodox as to send the kids he's suppose to protect to the front line.

Unless...

"Did he send you to come to visit me?" he asks slowly, something niggling at the back of his mind. The Marshal is as famous for his bursts of intuition as he is for his battle strategy. "Or did he say go to the front?"

"No, he just said 'go to the front'," Iggy says, but he's starting to frown as well, seeing Libertus frown. "Why?"

Thunder again –

No.

Libertus is Galahd-born.

He knows thunder: he was born in the storm. The sound of thunder lulled him to sleep as a kit.

That?

That is not thunder.

That's the sound of a bomb.

"We're under attack!" Libertus roars, his voice barely audible over the heightened storm, but strong enough to make it through to the next few bedraggled-looking Kingsglaive, whose heads rise up in alarm as they turn in the direction he's pointing – back towards the main convoy, an attack from behind where they hadn't been expecting one.

Shit, that's not far from Libertus' old position – Pelna's there! He needs to get there –

No. He needs to protect the kids.

"You need to get away from the fighting," Libertus tells the kids, who suddenly look scared and far, far too young. He leaps off of his Chocobo and lets it run free, then turns to help the kids off of their own before the Chocobos can start panicking and running off with them, though their Chocobos end up standing there placidly and pecking at the nearby trees. Maybe he really did get the nerviest one of the whole bunch like he'd been suspecting. "At least you're in the front, not the back where the fighting's happening –"

They were in the back, though, before. They'd gone over to the back to hang out with Libertus and they only came up here to the front because – oh, thank Leviathan's many-ridged fins that he swapped with Pelna at the last minute, or else the kids would be in the center of the fighting right now.

"Wasn't that where you were supposed to be?" Noctis asks, eyes wide.

Libertus is about to agree, assuming that Noctis is expressing relief that they're not there and Libertus isn't there and therefore relatively safe, as these things go, when Ignis speaks, his eyes equally wide but his face far more despairing.

"Someone knew," he says with horror.

"What?" Libertus asks, attention pulled away from the battle – unwise, he knows – by the tone in Iggy's voice.

"You're the only grown-up here that we'd want to hang out with, other than Gladio's Mom and Dad and Cor and they were being boring," Iggy says woodenly. "You're the obvious choice for us to go spend time with. Someone figured out where you'd be, and knew that we'd probably come to see you. And then they set up the attack so that it'd come to where you were supposed to be..."

"You're being paranoid," Libertus says, but his heart isn't in it. It's certainly possible – if the Niffs figured out a way to spy on them, if there's a traitor - it's not like his friendship-by-proxy with the kitlings isn't pretty well known, a subject for plenty of teasing in the Kingsglaive – it's possible –

Well, it doesn’t matter. Figuring out what happened and how is way above Libertus' paygrade. Right now, his job is straightforward: normally, he’d go into battle to support his friends in the Kingsglaive, but that’s clearly the wrong thing to do now. He needs to stay with Noctis and Iggy. Protecting them is the highest priority –

Libertus sees the shine of metal in the middle of the field shining bright as it reflected the next crack of lightning.

Glauca!

Oh shit.

Shit, shit, shit. General Glauca himself here in person, despite the fact that he knows that Cor is here – that means they must know about them, somehow; that means the Niffs are clearly here to get the kids – and if they do have a spy, then they’ll know the kids are with him, and it won’t take long for them to figure out that he swapped with Pelna – and then –

"They think you'll be next to me," Libertus suddenly says. "That's what you think, Iggy?"

"I'm sure of it," Iggy says.

Iggy's smarter than Libertus will ever be, for all that he's so much younger. Libertus is going to have to trust him on this.

“Okay,” he says, looking at the kids. “They think you’ll be next to me. So I’m going to go west, to the outskirt of the forest, and I’m gonna take your Chocobos –” Thank Ramuh’s feathery ass, they picked ones with distinctive colors. “– so that they think you’re with me and come my way, after me instead of after you, okay?”

They both look at him, wide-eyed.

“That means you’re going to be on your own,” Libertus says. He doesn’t like the idea, leaving kids on their own like this, but if he can keep Glauca distracted and far away from the kids, even for a little bit longer while someone manages to get out a call for back-up from the reserve units that were trailing behind them, it’ll be worth it. Glauca is a monster – he wouldn’t hesitate in attacking children, not for a minute. Their only hope will be to keep ahead of him. “You go into the forest, and go to the ground – or into a tree, whatever – just keep away, okay? Keep away from everyone, except for the Shield or his wife and the Marshal, okay?”

If there's a spy, then those are the only people he knows for sure must be safe; they've been friends with the King for years.

The kids both nod.

They're so brave.

“Good luck,” Libertus says, grabbing the reins of the two kids’ Chocobos – he doesn’t care about his own, but it's come back through the brush and seems inclined to follow him anyway. Whatever, that'll help with the illusion, and the low visibility due to the storm will only make it harder for anyone to know the truth. “See you on the other side.”

And off he goes.

Ignis and Noctis stumble through the dark forest, the storm above their heads, the leaves barely blocking them from the pouring rain.

“We should find somewhere to stop,” Ignis says through chattering teeth. He bundled up well for this trip, but the combination of fear and increasing wetness is not conductive to a nice, warm, happy child. Not to mention the fact that his glasses are covered in raindrops, which he hates. “Noct, do you think…?”

He trails off. Noctis is definitely moving in a particular direction, whereas Ignis was under the impression that they were simply moving away. Ignis hurries to catch up.

“Where are we going?” he asks.

“The right way,” Noctis says, his eyes fixed in the distance. “Can’t you hear him?”

“Who?”

Noctis points.

Ignis looks, squinting.

“Is that - Umbra?” he yelps. Why would one of the Oracle's Messengers be here? He thought they'd remained back in Insomnia. “What – is Luna around?”

“No, she’s back with the others,” Noctis says. “She tried to summon Ramuh for us when the fighting started, but Umbra says that she says there wasn't any need: with the storm, he already knows we’re here. But it’s okay; Umbra knows the way and we should follow him.”

“The way to what?”

“The runestone,” Noctis says.

“And what,” Ignis says, maybe a little testily, “in the name of Ramuh’s pinfeathers are runestones, exactly?!”

Noctis actually stops moving for a second. “Uh,” he says. “I – I’m not actually sure.”

Ignis crosses his arms and scowls at his friend.

"What?" Noctis says defensively. "Umbra's a Messenger. We can listen to him!"

"The fact that someone – even an adult, or a Messenger, or anything – says something, doesn't mean you have to listen to them, Noct!" Ignis exclaims. "You're the Prince! Plenty of people will try to tell you things, and it's up to you to figure out what you think about what they're saying. You're eight already. Hasn't school taught you anything? Look before you leap!"

Noctis looks appropriately abashed. "That's a good point," he says. He reaches out and takes Ignis' hand in his. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Iggy."

Ignis sniffs, somewhat appeased. "Probably be rude to everyone you meet, most likely."

"You and your etiquette," Noctis teases, but then looks after Umbra's waiting form. "I do think we should follow Umbra now, though."

"All right," Ignis says. "I'm wasn’t saying we shouldn't. I just wanted you to think first, that's all."

Noctis smiles. "I've thought about it, I've thought about it. Let's go already." He tugs gently on Ignis' hand.

And so they go deeper into the forest, following Umbra's swiftly receding form. Ignis' hooves sink unpleasantly into the increasingly muddy ground, and Noctis' paws are only a little better for this sort of mucky travelling, but they force themselves to continue even as the trees get bigger and bigger and the storm darker and darker, the flashes of lightning and ensuing thunder more and more constant.

"Aren't storms supposed to move on or something?" Noctis grumbles as they reach a clearing.

Ignis tugs on his hand sharply, his eyes fixed elsewhere.

Noctis looks at him.

"Look around you," Ignis says. "And up."

Noctis looks.

Ignis sees the confusion on his face, and he also sees the moment that Noctis sees them in the trees.

Birds.

Corvids of every sort, ravens and crows and more, crowding every branch, black feathers and beady black eyes fixed right on where Noctis and Ignis are standing.

The Eyes of Ramuh.

The Wings of Ramuh.

"Now," Ignis murmurs, noticing that Umbra has disappeared entirely, "is the time for etiquette."

Noctis gives the slightest hint of a nod, and steps forward. "Greetings," he says to them as formally as he can. "My name is Noctis Lucis Caelum, Prince of Lucis and Chosen of the Prophecy of Bahamut, and I'm looking for the runestone of Ramuh so that I can obtain his blessing and complete a Covenant with him – and the Prophecy may be completed. Would you please show me the way?"

One of the ravens hops out of his tree and flies silently to the ground before them. It lowers its head, wings spread, almost like a bow – both Ignis and Noctis automatically bow back – and then turns and hops off further into the forest.

They follow.

Ignis glances behind them as they go up a hill and sees a flash of silver metal.

Silver metal, moving �� General Glauca!

He squeezes Noctis' hand. "We're being followed," he murmurs. "We need to go faster."

Noctis nods and they speed up, the raven leading them moving faster as well. It seems to be moderating its speed to theirs.

Still, they're just kids, with short legs and the tendency to tire quickly, and they end up slowing down again because that's better than running and having to stop to rest. Still, knowing that General Glauca is chasing them is pretty good incentive to keep going.

And then just when Ignis is sure that they'll have to stop and rest, no matter what, they reach another small clearing, this time against a cliff face, and at the end of the clearing there is the weirdest rock Ignis has ever seen.

Ramuh's temples are trees struck by lightning; everyone knows that. This is a rock in the shape of a tree, tendrils reaching upwards, and it's glowing faintly.

"I think this is the runestone," Noctis says. "Carved by lightning strikes."

Ignis nods. He means to let go of Noctis' hand, to let his Prince go ahead alone to his destiny, but Noctis clings on tighter and shoots him a beseeching look, and Ignis just can't let him go by himself.

So they move forward together, clinging to each other.

They're almost at the tree when someone calls out Noctis' name.

They turn, and it's Captain Drautos, still some distance away from them, panting a little like he's been running after them. "Prince Noctis," he repeats. "There you are – I've been looking for you! You have to come with me. The Niflheim forces are too strong, too many. We have no choice but to retreat."

"But if we retreat, we won't have another chance until next year!" Noctis exclaims.

"Your parents would rather wait a year if it means that you'll be alive," Drautos says, and steps forward into the clearing, the silvery spots on his hyena hindquarters shining wetly in the rain. "Come with me, Prince Noctis. I'll see you home safe."

Ignis takes a half-step towards him, but Noctis doesn't, and Ignis looks back at his friend, whose expression has gone set with determination. Ignis takes back the half-step, moving back to stand at Noctis' side.

"Thank you, Captain Drautos," Noctis says, his voice clear and strong. He's made his decision, Ignis can tell; he’s not just blindly listening to what people tell him to do, just like Ignis advised him. Ignis feels a surge of pride: Noctis is going to be a great king, one day. "But I'm going to call on the runestone first."

And he turns and reaches out a hand to the rock-tree, both his hand and the tree glowing, even as Drautos exclaims something rendered inaudible by a sudden crash of thunder.

And then the birds start screeching.

Ignis steps closer to Noctis automatically, his eyes going wide as the birds leap from the trees into the air – dozens of them, hundreds of them, thousands of them – and suddenly the storm-darkened sky is even darker with all of those black-winged bodies, so close together that they're indistinguishable from each other.

It takes a second for Ignis' eyes to adjust scale: it's only when Ramuh – because it is Ramuh, the Fulgarian himself, the 'taur whose body is made of the Stymphalian Birds, all of those birds coming together to metamorphose into a single figure: his mighty torso, swathed with robes, his long beard and sharp black eyes, his gigantic staff – starts to reach his hand down to them that Ignis suddenly sees him there.

The rock-tree has stopped glowing, as has Noctis; Noctis is staring up at the Astral and clinging to Ignis, and that's probably why Ramuh scoops them both up in his surprisingly firm and corporeal fist, lifting them up into the sky.

Ignis, looking down, can see Drautos staring up at them in shock for a long moment before running back towards the fighting, the quickly scattering MTs and a small group of Kingsglaive that were congregating in the area near the clearing, both heading in the direction that Ignis and Noctis had previously been - the two groups aren't fighting, so they must not have seen each other yet in the dark forest - and then Ramuh lifts up his staff with his other hand and throws it like a spear down at the runestone.

It strikes like a bolt of lightning.

The flash is so bright, Ignis has to slap his hands over his eyes, right over his glasses, and by the time it finally fades and he can see again, they're not above the battlefield. They're somewhere totally different. No, that's not quite right, they're still hovering in the sky above a lot of marshy wetlands and dark forests, they're still under the same giant storm as before, so they couldn't have gone too far, but at the same time Ignis doesn't see any of their forces anywhere - no Kingsglaive, no Crownsguard, not even any MTs.

Ramuh puts them down in front of a cave.

"Thank you!" Noctis shouts up at the Astral as he straightens up again, but Ramuh doesn't respond – he just dissolves back into those thousands and thousands of birds that all start flying off in different directions.

"What do we do now?" Ignis asks. "Into the cave?"

"Yeah," Noctis says. "I think – I think there might be something in there that I'm supposed to see."

[brosura]

i once saw some art that i can’t find anymore that was like “what if each of the boys had had their own summon wouldn’t that be cool?” and like?? SAME. like i get that the whole “mark/shard/etc of the “latin word for element”-aean” is supposed to be a noctis-only thing but what if he could assign the six to people after he’d passed their trials??

he chooses gladio for titan because it feels right and gladio was right there with him

he picks ramuh for prompto because ramuh seems very nice for an astral, and at the end of the day noctis is critically aware that prompto is pretty much a civilian he dragged into this

he assigns leviathan to ignis in the moment of panic before he falls unconscious after the fight because he knows at least where prompto is and gladio has titan, but what about ignis??

shiva and bahamut go to noctis because they were the ones who chose him for this destiny

you can’t summon ifrit because he’s an asshole

for extra angst potential, noctis can only call upon one of the six if the corresponding party member is in the crew and the six also come to them in moments of need/distress

when gladio leaves the party they feel an earthquake and they get stressed because that means gladio’s in enough danger for titan to have showed up

the leviathan that saved noctis from the daemons after the Betray-a-Friend Train Incident was summoned by ignis’ emotional distress after hearing that prompto was gone and noctis was outside and that there were daemons also outside now

thunderstorm over gralea for that extra pathetic fallacy and noctis is very stressed out because he knows prompto’s in there and upset/hurt enough to maintain the ramuh summon

also after the frequency of ramuh helping them out in battle noctis finds being unable to summon him really jarring

for a bit of comedy bc that’s what i’m about, noct’s stress over prompto keeps summoning shiva so gralea is really cold and loud bc of the thunder and ignis and gladio are just tryna get thru and find noctis and prompto, like, “goddamn u two please tone it down we’re doing our best”

[roses-and-oceans]

Worst time.

A/N: Inspired by this prompt right here. I missed writing for the waitress au with @gladiolus-mamacitia 

Also, fuck that hunt in Comrades with the phantom, fuck dat ho. also i made someone else to take out our anger bc i love all the npcs in Comrades, i love them all

Also a bit of back story bc we tend to not cover these things in chronological order: Jiion and Val are helping with cause of bringing back light for the outposts. Theyre separated from Ignis and Gladio. Also Gutsco, from Comrades is best boy ok that is all i think lol

TW:Blood

**

Jiion gave Val a look and moved from the upturned box that she was sitting on. Val looked up at her distressed friend, puzzled at what got her so upset. But as soon as she glanced past her friend, next to a supply table, she pulled the same face but recovered into a stoic mask.

They liked to call him “Sour Milk”. It was going to be a long night… How unlucky to have him be in the same haven!

Val steadied herself and tried ignoring him as best as she could when he sat down next to her, “Aren’t you supposed to be setting a table? Get afternoon tea ready?”

Val rolled her eyes as she examined her machete by the firelight and said, “What do you want, Seor? Go away before I sic Behemoth on you.”

Seor chortled, “Like that fat mutt can chew through a bone,” and went to reach for her machete. She yanked it away, held it at an arms distance, and spat out, “Do you want to die before the sun comes back? I can make that happen.”

“Oh, I don’t your boyfriend’ll like that, you’re supposed to be a proper lady,” he mimicked, Ignis’ lilt and Val turned the blade onto him, her anger besting him.

“Screw him and fuck you, you-”

“Oi!”

Just then, the final member of the hunt, Gutsco strode up to the haven, “What’s this?”

Seor pushed the machete away from him as if he was swatting a fly away, “Just words amongst comrades in arms. Just fun.”

Jiion scoffed and shook her head, readying her crossbow, “Time to get on with the hunt, guys. The darkness’ll come over any minute.”

Gutsco nodded and said, “Alrighty, that’s more like it! Seor, you ready? Take up the front-.”

Gutsco waited for Val and Jiion to trail next to him, then he threw his arms up over their shoulders and brought the three of their heads together, “I know you both hate him, but we need him alive for this hunt. We need the man power.”

Jiion gave a long, suffering sigh, “No promises. My dog is twice the man he’ll ever be.”

“What’s your issue with him?”

“Cost us many hunts before,” Val said as Gutsco let them go. Jiion scoffed and fixed her jacket, “Also, he’s a shit shot, we’d almost gotten our heads blown off because of him.”

“Ah. Well, clear your heads, this one’s going to be tough, we’re fighting a phantom.”

“A WHAT?!” Both girls screeched. Val shuddered and said, “I knew I should have brought my cleansing kit.”

This, of course, was a huge mistake to send only four hunters, only two of them adept with magic.

As soon as they stepped onto the roof top of the abandoned fortress, the phantom loomed over them, huge and daunting. Jiion and Val froze to the spot; they both reached an arm out to Gutsco, who whispered, “We’re going to need to retreat, fall back and do not engage. Seor, repeat, do not engage.”

Val began to back track, hand on Seor’s jacket. He shrugged her off, “All we need is magic to beat this ghost down. Follow my lead, Witch and Glaive.”

Before Val could latch onto him, he brought out his guns, enchanted with Lighting magic. She lunged for him as the first shot rang out.

“I’ll distract it, you use your magic to-.”

A bright white cloud erupted around Seor and Val. She reached for him again but his coat disintegrated in her hands. She couldn’t see him anymore, she stuck her hands out in front of her to disperse the thick mist, to see if she could reach him before she could see him. A loud thunder clap roared next to her and she screamed and dove away. Flecks of lighting could be seen in the clouds and she tried to anticipate the next strike. Another thunderclap startled her and she scrambled out of the way. Another thunderclap threw her to the ground, and she felt a heaviness pierce her stomach he shoulder screamed at the contact of concrete. This was never going to stop, clouds and thunder were going to chase her, Ramuh’s judgment was upon her-.

A pair of nice dress shoes came into her line of vision, Black, red soles, a reptile print texture. A silver gloved hand appeared and as she looked farther up to look at her savior, she was greeted with a grisly, marred face. Ignis’ glasses were shattered and flecked with gore, his left eye shut by clotted blood. As she was pulled up, Val’s breathing became erratic. She began sobbing out apologizes, her breath quickened and stuck in her throat. Ignis pulled her forward and the cloud disappeared. Ignis was gone and he was replaced be Jiion. She was pulling at Val’s hand, dragging her, “Val, lets go! We have to go!”

Val’s ears were ringing and no matter how much she wiped, she couldn’t get the burning smell of ammonia out of her nose. She followed Jiion down the stairs, and focused on Gutsco’s back. Or at least, she tried to; Gutsco was having a really hard time trying to wrestle a still screaming Seor under a smelling salt. Jiion let go of Val really quickly to grapple Seor and help poor Gutsco. Val tried wiping her sticky tears from her cheeks but as soon as she even moved a finger, her left shoulder burned immensely. Her stomach felt warm and then the wound began to bloom with the intensity of a forest fire. Val stopped her breathing to still herself, to keep herself from swaying.

As Seor stilled and stopped from lashing, Jiion came back to Val and began leading her again. Val followed her for a few more steps, determined to push through ‘til they reached the camp. But she had to stop; her legs had started shaking.

Jiion gave her a tug, “Why are you stopping? We have to keep going! We’re almost at camp.”

“I, uh,” Val said, her voice shaking, “I’ve just realized I’ve been shot.”

Gutsco stopped; he winced when he saw her shoulder. Jiion pried Val’s jacket open. She gasped and began digging in her med pack, “Really?! Now? You have the worst timing!”

Val fell to her knees and held her hand over the pouring wound. She felt a strong pair of hands pull her up and as all the movement paused for a bit, she closed her eyes and lay her head on Gutsco’s shoulder. Despite his protests, Val was able to sleep quite easily.

**

“Darling, would you like some more tea?”

His voice was sweet and musical. It was the best sound Val heard in ages. “You should rest, Kitten. You had a long shift today.”

His warmth seeped through his crisp, clean clothing and his arms wrapped around her felt like absolute heaven.

“Val, stay with me, please-”

“Mm, my darling, you’re so soft. I’d hate to leave you like this but-.”

“Please don’t leave me, Ignis, not right now. Stay.”

“-don’t die on me-”

He settled back down and Val nestled herself into his sweet smelling chest. He smelled a little bit like roses but his clean clothes permeated through.

“Of course, nothing but the best for you, my lo-”

“Val, can you hear me-?”

But then he started getting up. Val started feeling cold and shivered.

“I’m sorry, I-”

“Val-”

Ignis was no longer in her arms. She felt empty.

“I’m… I don’t feel the same anymore. I am truly sorry-”

“Val, wake up-”

Val could see, through the small slits of her eyelids, a figure approaching from the light. He was smiling, looking down on her. He was no longer bloodied or scarred. His green eyes were pristine and it reminded her of the mint she used to grow on her balcony.

When her eyes fully opened the figure was gone, the light hit her full on. The pain came back again and she groaned.

Jiion’s worried face appeared and cast a shadow over Val, “Sweet Astrals, you’re alive.”

Val sighed. Jiion brought her forehead against her friends and she murmured, “Never scare me like that again. You barely made it.”

When Val didn’t respond, Jiion said playfully, “C'mon, I need you alive. Who else’ll help me if I need to sneak away from the boys.”

Val couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. Her eyes were filled with tears and she rasped out, “I keep seeing him, Jii. I want him out of my head. I saw him while I was stuck in the mist, he pulled me out, I heard his voice. And, gods, it hurts so much.”

Jiion wiped Val’s tears away with a tissue and she reached over to hold her hand, “I pulled you out of the mist, Val, it was me. It Confused the hell out of you, and now, you’re safe. He’s not here, he won’t show up, I promise. You’re safe here with me and I won’t let go of you.”

“Thank you, Jii.”

Jiion kissed Val’s hand and wiped away more of her tears, “Get some rest. Are you hurting?”

Val nodded.

“I’ll ask to see if they can do something about it, hold on.”

Jiion got up and began walking away. A few seconds later, there was a large crash, with screams from Jiion, “YOU MOTHERFUCKER! YOU USELESS PIECE OF SHIT, I WILL FUCKING SLAUGHTER YOU AND YOUR ANCESTORS-”

Val almost bolted upright but was stopped by the wounds. She grit her teeth and slowly began to sit up to watch her best friend rip someone a new one.

Seor was pressed against the wall by Jiion and her machete. She was seething, “I swear by the Gods, you will not live to see tomorrow, I will kill you slowly, you shit-face, shit-shot-!”

“Enough!”

Cor Leonis came bounding and grabbed Jiion and pulled him offf, “That’s quite enough.”

He turned to look at Seor, who was positively shaking, “You’re prohibited from taking up hunts indefinitely, and you are demoted. If you cannot listen to instructions and limit liabilities on the field, then you are not fit for duty. You’re dismissed.”

Cor turned around and Val shrunk back. He walked over, “What are you doing? Lay back down.”

Cor and Jiion set Val back down on the table. Val was sweating from the exertion and she said, “I’m fine.”

Jiion glared at her, “I swear, you say that shit again, I’m going to kill you.”

“You’re tempting me.”

Jiion yanked at Val’s hair. Cor shook his head and crossed his arms, “Val, you’re toeing a thin line. Don’t make me bench you, too.”

“Alright, Alright… Can someone get me a painkiller?”

Before Cor walked away to grab a syringe, he set his hand on Val’s forehead. He gave the same almost-affectionate pat to Jiion, “You girls are going to be the cause of my early death.”

As Val felt the drugs hit her system, she inhaled the clean smell of the sheets. So close to the smell of him, but not quite.

[airlea-sicarius]

Late Night get away

Based off the MMD image below, provided by @1000wolflover a few months back. First Noctlea thing written in a while so I’m hoping it’s still all good! Tagging: @jojopitcher @bluefirefox23 @honeybeelily @amicitonia  @noboomoon and @1000wolflover

Word count: 1,324

The other image is at the bonus section XD

Darkness. Silence. Astrals knew that Airlea needed all of this: the tranquillity of midnight, staying well away from the petty arguing that Ignis didn’t help with. Gladio, do be quiet. Prompto, stop it. Noctis, nothing will stop Gladio from being annoyed at Prompto for – for the of god please stop it. For Pete’s sake stop it, Gladio!

For the intelligence and wisdom Ignis held, he certainly couldn’t use it wisely at the dead of night when focus was needed. Just in case.

Airlea had somehow managed to sneak out of camp, feeding her chocobo extra greens to buy her some time. The throbbing at her temples from the shouting and temper tantrums had managed to fade, becoming the softest of sensations. Her limbs were tired, calves burning and shoulders struggling to decide whether they were well or bruised from the battling of (and fleeing from) daemons.

A twig snapped underfoot and she flinched, breath hitching. When a shadow cast over her she, spun around quickly, head turning from side to side, eyes examining her surroundings quickly. When she was happy nothing was thing, she let out a small suspicious ‘huh’, and straightened. But when she tried to continue...

“Who are you here with?”

She rose a brow, trying to pinpoint the location. “My friends. I guess?”

“And they let you come out here?”

She laughed at that. “They didn’t have a choice with their childish arguing. Gods, it was a small pencil marking that could have easily been rubbed out in barely a second.” Airlea shrugged. “It was my own decision, but thanks for the concern.”

“How brave.”

She sighed. “Noctis, I know it’s you. And I swear to Ramuh, if you even think about –“

“Anything can happen in the woods. May I kiss you?”

“Noctis, please stop singing –“

“Any moment we could crushed.” Airlea felt his hands on her wrists, his breath in her ear. “Don’t feel rushed.”

An eye roll, the turn of her head to place a kiss on his chin. . “You’re a fool for following me, you know that?”

“Foolishness can happen in the woods.” He wore an innocent smile. “Once again please?” She shot him a nonplussed expression. “Let you hesitations be hushed. Any moment big or small, is a moment after all. Seize the moment skies may fall, any moment.”

“Honestly, Noctis. When one says ‘no’, they mean –“ Airlea’s calm lecture was forced into a hault. Noct’s gloved hand to a hold of her chin, tilting her face almost forcefully so she faced him.  She swallowed thickly. “Noct...”

He was silent, dragging a finger up her jaw and tucking her hair behind her ear, his free arm wrapping around her waist and pulling her to him. At first, his breath was fanning across her skin, his eyes narrowed, mouth sewn shut in a frown.  There was an intimidating air, something she had never experienced beside him... He looked away, as if holding eye contact was difficult, as if her widened eyes had triggered something... And he spoke. Quietly. Sincerely. “You promised you wouldn’t do this again.” He was upset with her. That was why he couldn’t look at her. “Last week, we were sat at the car park, overlooking the Duscae view. It was night. We were eating fish and chips that Iggy made to save money and to use the fish we had just caught. You were trying to find the northern star ‘to say hi to dad’ you said.”

Noctis held her tighter. “We joked about how our fathers would be talking about us, telling off all the nobles that died in Insomnia for not liking how we love each other. I mentioned my concern for you always wandering off at night, that I constantly feared waking up to the others not daring to look at me, conversing with each other through eye contact and an unbearable silence... And... you promised... you promised you would stop.”

When Noctis looked back up at her, she felt her heart break. Airlea didn’t know what to say that would make it better. She messed up. She knew that. “Noct, I –“ She took a deep breath and swallowed down her guilt. “I know... I know I’ve hurt you now. It just... Okay, I know this isn’t going to help but – Astrals how can I say this without making things worse?”

She sighed, slouching slightly and then straightening a moment later. “Thing is, I couldn’t stand being drawn into the argument again by with Gladio, Prompto or Ignis. The culprit wanting me to lecture the victim or visa versa, Ignis wanting me to help him stop it all together.” She, too, looked away. “I couldn’t think straight, my head felt like I was either going through an earthquake or like a pneumatic drill was just attacking my skull...”

Airlea looked down at her hand with a distant expression, allowing Noct’s fingers to entangle themselves with hers, his gloved hand lingering on her cheek, thumb running over her cheekbone. “You could have just told us. You know Prompto would forget the whole ordeal.”

“It would only make the tension heavier and bring even more negativity than necessary.” She looked back at his face, noting that his eyes were now making contact with hers. For a moment, she thought she was going to get it in the neck. Again. But, it never came.

“You call me a fool, but you can be so stupid and not think things through properly sometimes.” He ended up behind her, both arms around her waist, and pulled her into his chest. His body was warm in comparison to the chill of the night. “You give your chocobo extra greens, but it gulfs it down in thirty seconds and kwehs when it finds you gone, crying out for you like it’s either you mother or your baby.” His chin was on her shoulder. “You didn’t just worry me, but everyone else, too. Gladio was almost positive you went back to the Regalia despite the sounds of battle going on in this direction, so he went that way. The others are at camp in case you returned before us.”

“I should apologise to them all come morning, starting with my chocobo.” She sighed. “Noct, I –“

“Airlea, you’ve already explained yourself to me.” He tilted her face again. Their noses practically touched, breaths mingling and ghosting over the other’s lips. It was purely accidental that they were so close, yet his eye contact, barely blinking, did things to her mind that shouldn’t have been happening.

“Noct, um...” She cleared her throat. “You’re –“ She didn’t have much time to speak, for the Princes kiss was rough and ardent, tantalisingly slow yet passionate and heady, full of emotion and desperation.

Airlea knew that he wasn’t joking when he said he was concerned.

Bonus:

“Finally!” The couple broke apart, faces bright red with embarrassment at the deep timbre of the royal shield having made an appearance, the flash of a camera, the sigh of a strategist. “Guys, I found our missing friend. And I managed to see a snog.”

“’Kiss’ will do just fine, Gladio –“

“Ha! You may have seen it, big guy, but I caught it on camera and on film.” Prompto was triumphantly holding his camera up, eyes closed, mouth in a victorious smile, head tilted to one side smugly. “Can’t beat that, I’m afraid.”

“Prompto, Gladio, you’re arguing caused this mess. “Ignis kindly reminded the duo, letting go of a lead which kept a rather relieved chocobo at bay. The act alone caused the bird to sprint towards her, releasing a kweh of sincere gratitude and relief as it nestled it’s furry head into her neck, beckoning for a hug (which she kindly gave) and a good neck rub.

She honestly thought she would get ran over, dying in a humiliating way,  after a humiliating situation, with her face still beet red.

[moonraccoon-exe]

I'm curious, who's your favourite astral and why? (Mine are shiva and ramuh 'cause I feel like they care the most about noctis/humans..It's like they have this nice/gentle air around them)

Haha, mine are Shiva and Ramuh, too!! And for the exact same reason. :)

Titan feels nice, too. To be honest, at first he freaked me out because he insisted on wanting to stomp on the party, but really he had good intentions and was only doing his job. And when he appears at Leviathan’s battle, it feels nice. Like he cares enough to put a stop to his equal because he, unlike her, does realize she’s doing wrong.

But Titan is an ass that has NEVER ONCE aided me ingame, hahahaha. Not a single damn once. I don’t know what the cimenatic for his appearance looks like (haven’t wanted to spoil myself with a video, even though I already kind of did with a gif). I’m 160 hours in and he has NOT. ONCE. helped me.

Leviathan can go die in a hole.

Ifrit’s got a cool design, but he was part of the bad guys that caused all this tragedy so eh. I don’t hate him, but I wouldn’t be friends with him either.

Bahamuth is super cool but he can rot in a hole, too, that f*cking bloody jerk. I know that’s how the universe and stuff works, but it feels unfair, you know, that he and comrades were who started all this bullshit and end up having Noct take the consequences to the limits of not only dying but also suffering and agonizing like the literal description of a martyr says.

I was also super upset at his summoning. He did crap to mess up with the world, ended up blaming me (Noct), then was like “BUT if you do die, I can offer you MY holy and sacred help”, so I was super excited of seeing how he finished things off. And nope. Don’t get me wrong, I LOOOOVE the cinematic for his summon. But really, the strongest, most sacred, most impressive Bahamuth…could not kill small Ifrit? He did his AWESOME sword rain that worked to make me drop my jaw and end up even more obsessed with this game, but didn’t hit him ONCE? And then he VANISHED and Shiva had to do it in his place!?!?!?!? BAHAMUTH you shit you promised me something then didn’t do it and killed me anyway!?!?!

SO! Ramuh and Shiva that is!

Ramuh is super nice. He’s the gentle, kind, sweet grandpa that lets his grandchildren climb up his back and up his beard while he laughs the entire time as softly as grandpas do. He didn’t even ask you for anything. Titan and Leviathan were like “oh you want out power? we’d do it buddy but we need to fight you before”, and Ramuh was like “Oh you want my power? SURE, have it. Anything else you need? You’re in trouble you call, I’ll come

Seriously, I’ve seen Ramuh like 50 times more than Noctis ever saw Luna.

He’s always first to come aid me and his cinematic is super impressive. And when he vanishes he looks so sacred and good. Good Ramuh loves the life of Eos and I love him for being so kind.

Shiva freaked me out at first because “omg why must the female supernatural beings or goddesses wear SUCH A TINY BIKINI and have such big boobs SHE’S THE WARRIOR GODDESS OF COLD AND SNOW AND WINTER, PUT SOMETHING ON HER” hahahaha. But Gentiana was always super kind in general. She DID ruin some of my favorite photos (the gods forgive you, Gentiana, I do not), but she’s super kind. Super confusing and frustrating at times because “wtf did that mean why can’t you just tell me with normal words?”, but kind and always there literally watching over me and the party.

She’s the one that appears most next to Ramuh, at least in my personal gameplay. And all in all, Gentiana/Shiva was always SUPER nice and SUUUUUPER kind. Always with a kind and sweet smile. She looks like the good goddess that would protect her creation from anything that can exist in the universe, protect it with every fiber in her being and all her might. And I love good gods that don’t ask you to kill yourself and pay the good peopletheir good actions.

Thank you for asking, anon. I love sharing thoughts and such about any matter, really, and this was super enjoyable to answer. :)

[bespectacled-girl-blog]

Flying Away: Chapter 14

Word count: 2196

Flying Away chapters masterlist

One word for this chapter: angst! I don’t know how I do it, but things tend to get even worse when I delve into the chapter XD Will it get any better in chapter 15? I have no idea, so keep reading and hopefully, you’ll find out!

Taggin @atarostarling, @stunninglyignis, @cupnoodle-queen, @themissimmortal, @blindbae, @lupanaoflaminar, @roses-and-oceans, @alicemoonwonderland, @itshaejinju, @hypaalicious, @louisvuittontrashbags, @prettyprompto, @fieryfantasy

Lyne stood there, in front of the love of her life, petrified.

He knew.

He knew and now was the time she had feared the most. The time for truth.

She stayed there, unable to avert her gaze from Ignis’ expressionless face. She wanted to take every single one of his features in, before he rejected her for ever. The shape of his nose, his enticing lips, the way he lifted his chin when he was upset. How she craved to put her hands in his hair once more, to stroke his cheek, to bury her head into his strong neck while he cradled her… But all this was done, now and forever.

Ignis cleared his throat suddenly and that brought her back to her senses. Of course, he had no idea of the internal fight taking place in her mind…

“Are you still there?” His voice was clipped.

She shook her head, trying to stay focused. If Ignis deserved one thing, it was the complete truth.

“Yeah, sorry, I… I don’t know where to begin.” She lowered her head and sank to her knees, not even having the strength to walk to the armchair.

“So you don’t deny what Chancellor Izunia said, then?”

“I… No. It’s true. Ramuh is my father.”

As if the Fulgurian had heard her, rain started to fall outside, splattering the window pane.

“I...see. Though that may not be an appropriate choice of words.” he added dryly. “Is there anything else you have hidden from me?”

Taking a deep breath, Lyne forced her answer out.

“If you’ll let me, I’ll tell you everything from the beginning.”

“I’m all ears.”

When she was done telling him about her adoption, the death of her parents, her failed marriage, and the discovery of her parentage, she kept silent, waiting for his reaction. She hadn’t even enough strength left in her to cry. She watched Ignis, who kept perfectly still all through her story, and even after she had stopped talking. With his dark glasses and the stillness of his features, she had no idea how he was reacting.

“Please, say something…” she whispered, his silence finally too much for her to bear.

“Pray excuse me, I was trying to process the fact that you’ve lied to me basically all the time we’ve known each other.” He replied, an evil smirk on his lips.

“I know nothing I say will be enough to excuse what I did… But please believe me when I say that when I came to this world, I was all but divorced from that man, and my only wish was to take a fresh start… I saw that summoning as the best opportunity to forget about my past, but I had no intention of being false with you, or anyone… I hadn’t expected to fall in love, but when I realised what I had with you, I was too afraid of losing you if I told you the truth… And as for my father, Ramuh had strictly forbidden me to reveal the truth to anyone, for fear of what might happen to me or to him… Apparently having children with humans is not really authorised among the Astrals, so...”

She realised she was starting to babble, and stopped talking at once.

“Do I even know you?” Came Ignis’ final words, the hurt in his voice barely hidden behind a pretense of detachment.

Lyne couldn’t bear it any longer. She managed to get to her feet, all but rushing out of the room, muttering a last “I’m sorry” as her tears started to fall.

Once in the corridor, she immediately thought of going to her father, but first, she owed an explanation to her other three friends. If they rejected her as well, then she would have no other choice but to leave.

Luckily, she found Gladio and Prompto in Noctis’ room. That would make things easier. When she entered the room, she found three pairs of eyes looking at her in silence. She figured they had probably been talking about her, Noctis revealing to his friends what he’d just discovered.

“Hey.” she said tentatively. Nobody answered. “Okay, I suppose you all know who I am by now… So huh, Ardyn didn’t lie to you. I’m Ramuh’s daughter. I discovered it when I disappeared that day in Fociaugh Hollow, he brought me to him and told me the truth. Also, he had forbidden me to tell anyone, especially you, Noct. His story with my biological mother was a secret, and the other Astrals don’t know about me. He didn’t want them to learn I existed through your mind, because he feared what they might do then. Oh, and another thing, because I reckon I owe you the whole truth about me now that you know my secret. In my previous life, when I was someone else, I was… married, to a man I didn’t love any more and whom I was about to divorce. You ought to know because… That will explain a lot of things about Ignis’ behaviour in the next days.”

Nobody spoke. They kept looking at her, uneasy looks on their faces.

“Okay, I think it’s time for me to leave… It was… nice having friends like you.”

She turned to go, but just as she reached the door handle a big hand came from behind her to press against the wood.

“Where do you think you’re going? We need you here.” Gladio’s voice was stern, but he had a kind look on his face.

“But I… You don’t understand…”

“Remember what you told me that day at the camper, about being here to help me while you could?”

“I know, but… Things have changed…”

“For me, nothing has changed. Okay, you did hide a tiny little thing from us. But when a god forbids you to speak, I reckon you don’t have much of a choice. That doesn’t change who you are, at least for me. And about your past, I can see why you didn’t mention it. The rest is between you and Iggy.”

The big guy winked at her, and she couldn’t help jumping in his arms, hugging him with all her strength. When she turned to look at the other two, Prompto was smiling shyly, and muttered that it was the same for him too. As for Noct, he didn’t speak, and only nodded to her, telling her that he understood as well.

Ignis and her were done, but at least she still had three great friends. She wasn’t going to let them down, even if that meant seeing the man she loved ignoring her for the rest of her time in Eos. She almost managed to give them a tiny smile, but the young king’s voice froze her in her attempt:

“Wait, you just said that the other Astrals don’t know about you but… Ardyn said it was Ifrit who told him who you are.”

Just when she thought things could get any worse, her world crashed a little more. The Astrals knew of her existence, or at least, one of them did, and the most unfriendly one at that. How come she was still alive? Did Ifrit intend on hurting Ramuh through her? And if something happened to her father, apart from the fact that she would be heartbroken once again, how would Noct be able to fulfill his destiny? She would have to contact her father as soon as possible. And in the meanwhile, she needed to be even more watchful of the dangers surrounding them.

On the train taking them to Cartanica, the atmosphere was gloomy. Noctis had all but gone mute, which was infuriating Gladio, while Ignis was trying to get used to his blindness, not even complaining once. He hadn’t clearly told Lyne that it was over between them, but after their last conversation in Altissia, he had been constantly avoiding being alone with her. The night before they left for Niflheim, as she was close to tears once again, Gladio had told her to be patient with him, that he would forgive her eventually. But the truth was she had given up hope. When she looked at him, unnoticed thanks to his new condition, she craved to touch him, cradle him, tell him it would be all right eventually and that she would always be here for him. Her heart ached seeing him struggle with his surroundings, trying to find his way on his own with his cane, his head hung low.

Things got even worse when Gladio lost his temper at Noctis for refusing to put the Ring of the Lucii on. On the one hand, Lyne understood why the King’s shield reacted that way. They had all lost something, or someone, and Noct’s reaction could seem childish in a way. But on the other hand, she understood why the young king felt so lost and frightened. He’d just lost the woman he had sworn to protect, only because he was to fulfill a prophecy he wanted nothing to do with.

She watched, helpless, as Gladio went one way, and Noct the other. She wanted to do something for once, and staying here with Prompto and Ignis was not an option. Not that she disliked the blonde guy, but she had never been so close to being alone with the royal advisor, and that made her feel even more uncomfortable.

“I’m… gonna check if Noct’s okay.” she muttered, getting up and all but running after the young king.

She found him a few cars farther, seething on his own. She didn’t know what she was going to say, but she had to try, had to feel useful again.

“Hey,” she said tentatively.

“What?” He snapped when he saw her, immediately regretting his reaction. “Sorry Lyne, I didn’t mean…”

“I know, it’s okay. It’s not me you’re mad at, I get it.”

“I’m not mad at you. But I need to tell you, if you’re here to tell me to ‘pull my head outta my ass’, you might as well be on your way.”

“No, on the contrary. I wanted to tell you that… I know how you feel… Kind of.”

“You do?”

“Yeah. Being the Chosen King, the one who will bring back the Light and defeat the Darkness… I know you didn’t ask for it, didn’t ask for people to sacrifice themselves for you.”

“I just… Wanted to protect her…”

She could tell by his tone he was trying not to cry in front of her. His fists were two balls, his knuckles white with tension. Sympathetic, she put her hand on his shoulder.

“You did your best, I know you did. But sometimes… Even our best isn’t enough. But looking back is no use. I try to tell myself we have to go forward and try to make things better with what we have. Even when it’s hard. It’s my mantra when I don’t feel well. ‘If I look back I am lost’. You have no idea how often I keep repeating this these days.” She added, forcing a chuckle past her lips. “And look at me, I never asked to be the daughter of an Astral. But I have no other choice but to deal with that, even if it means my life now that Ifrit knows. People might get hurt too, my father might get hurt, and that would have horrible consequences, but if I dwell too much on this, fear paralyses me, and I can’t go on.”

“I think I see what you mean. Thanks Lyne”, he replied with a forced smile.

“Glad I could help a little” she said truthfully.

She stayed by Ignis’ side while they were looking for the tomb in the abandoned mine. Whenever an enemy got too close, she killed it instantly with her power, never letting harm come to him. He didn’t seem to be aware of her presence near him, too busy fighting with his invisible surroundings, and she was careful not to let him know she was there, for fear that he would tell her to go mind her own business.

They had to camp in the mine that night. Lyne took upon her to cook for the group, even though on her own she was a mediocre cook at best. Her heart sank a little more in her chest when Ignis decreed he wasn’t hungry and went to bed straight away.

She couldn’t stand it any more. She had to talk to him. Their situation was bad enough as it was, it would be best if they could at least stop ignoring each other, maybe remain friends.

Determined to set things right, she entered the tent, clearing her throat to make her presence known. He was already in his sleeping bag. He sighed, not bothering to sit up to talk face to face with her.

“Please Lyne, I beg you. Our situation is already bad, I don’t think we need you to add some petty drama to it.”

She didn’t even tell farewell to the other guys before warping to the Astral Plane.

[thechocobros]

“SEE LUNA SAFE TO ALTISSIA” - part 6

Pair: Nyx Ulric / Lunafreya Nox Fleuret

Previously: For some reasons, if I insert the Ao3 link here, the post doesn’t show up in the tags. So if you want the previous chapters, just message me privately ;)

Words: 6685

Plot: Luna and Nyx didn’t fell in the Empire’s trap, Nyx didn’t had to use the ring and he survived. What would have happened if Nyx really had the chance to ‘see Luna safe to Altissia’, like he promised to Regis? Here the part 6: A ‘small inconvenience’ happens to Luna right after Ramuh’s awake and before heading to Altissia, she decides to go back home, in Tenebrae.

Personal Comment: Things are getting hot down here ;) Who can blame Luna too? And after that, all I have to add is: Dino is us, we are Dino. #DinoIsLife #ILoveDino  

For this chapter I have to credit @loveiscosmicsin a lot! Like, honestly. My characters wouldn’t be that funny without you, Kwai. 

The sheets were cool on her skin, but the rest of her body was pure fire. She felt fire in her veins, fire in her bones, fire in her head, it clouded her mind. Luna arched her back so she could reach every inch of his body and feel it on hers. He moaned in pleasure and to reward her for her initiative he used one big hand to cup her cheek and kissed her deeper, mouth open, his beard brushing on her face. Luna was overwhelmed by him, she couldn’t even breathe but didn’t complain. Her mind was empty, only consumed by the desire beyond her control.

She didn’t know how she got there. She didn’t worry for what would happen next.

She opened her palm and he automatically reached for it, entwined his fingers in hers, holding her tight. He didn’t want to let her go. He didn’t interrupt the kiss, only a moment to catch his breath and then continue. He smelled like wood and rain and that reminded her of something. Something that happened recently, yet she couldn’t remember. She actually couldn’t remember anything, not even who was the man who was making her feel so alive. She tried to opened her eyes but she couldn’t. Luna freed her hand, putting her arm around his neck, where she found nothing but his bare skin and a little chain. Her fingers followed the length of the necklace, reaching the pendant: the Ring of the Lucii. She grasped for air, surprised. But the man thought that was a good moment to move his mouth from her lips to her throat, peppering it with kisses. He also bit her clavicle, not hurting her but setting her even more on fire. She touched his face, trying to recognize him in shroud of the darkness over the two of them.

“Nyx?” she moaned and there was surprise in her voice.

What was happening? Why were they…? Her stomach wriggled but for some reason she didn’t even try to rebel. She let him touch her waist, her neck, her arms. Then he suddenly lowered his hand to grab her knee and put it around his hips: Luna boggled, opening her mouth and her eyes. The fire inside her bursted and the emotion got so strong she… woke up.

Luna found herself in a soft bed, covered in white sheets. Her dress was still a bit wet and dirty, and same went for her hair, which also smelled bad. Yet, she wasn’t cold, on the contrary, she was covered by so many blankets she had her face on fire. Maybe she also had caught a fever. But was it really because of the blankets? 

She was still breathing heavily and that was totally because of that dream. A dream. For Astrals’ sake, what kind of dream did she just have?

She touched her cheeks and then rested a hand on her heart: it was beating so fast it was embarrassing. She stared at a random corner of the room blankly as she tried to remember what happened the day before. She remembered the Moldacchi hills and she remembered Ramuh. After that, she fainted because she couldn’t remember anything but her dreams. But what if… those were not only dreams? She looked under the sheets, controlling if she still had her entire dress on and yes, she still wore it. But that dream felt so real…

She looked around, still nervous: where was Nyx? She swallowed hard, shivering at the idea of looking at his face again now.

She got off the bed and realized she was in a motel, probably one not very far from the place where she woke up Ramuh. She looked out of the window. It was afternoon. 

In that moment, the noise of the opening door made her turn around and holding her breath. It had to be Nyx and as a matter of fact he appeared with a plastic bag in his hand, chewing gum, and looked surprised. “Princess! You’re finally up!”

He frowned and quickly stepped ahead, studying her face searching for a sign of something. But as he got closer, Luna got further, looking at him like he was a monster. He stopped. “Are you… okay?” he asked, noticing her face burning red. 

“I’m fine,” she answered quickly, closing her fists and stepping back again.

Nyx looked confused. “Well, you slept for almost 20 hours this time and your eyes are wet like you had a nightmare. You’re obviously not fine.”

“I said I’m fine!” she raised her voice more than usual, which convinced Nyx even more she was not fine at all. 

“Okay, okay!” he raised his hands in a sign of surrender. “I brought some food, in case you’re hungry.”

“What happened?” Luna’s voice was still too nervous to be gentle.

“What do you mean what happened? You don’t remember anything?”

Luna felt her heart falling in his stomach like a 200 kg burden. 

“W-what should I remember…?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“You woke up the Ramuh and he decided to give his blessing to the prince. You made quite the show with a stunning solo-performance, too. After that, you went out like a light.”

“That I remember. What happened after?” 

Nyx shrugged, looking puzzled.“I took you here and you didn’t wake up for a while. What else should have happened?”

The reply to that question was less obvious than he could imagine, but Luna felt relieved. It seemed like the dream was just a dream afterall. Yet she didn’t understand how could it happen and that embarrassed her a lot. She literally couldn’t look at him in the eyes anymore.

“My clothes are wet, so I probably caught a cold.” 

Nyx didn’t understand her tone of accusation and asked, genuinely confused, “You wanted me take your clothes off…?”

“No!” She screamed her mortification.

“Then why are you so upset? What did I do wrong?”

She opened her mouth to answer but seeing him all puzzled, arms open and the questioning expression made her hesitate and blush even more. “I– Well, it doesn’t matter!” She said, turning away and heading to the bathroom. “I’m going to have a bath now because I’m filthy so would you be so kind and leave me alone? Thank you and have a nice day.”

Nyx raised his eyebrows in a very funny grimace like he couldn’t believe his ears. “What the …?” he laughed, incredulous. “Okay, you clearly woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I’ll disappear then.” And he left. 

Luna ran into the bathroom and closed the door behind her, trying to ignore her racing heart. She covered her face with the hands, cursing herself for her lack of manners. 

“What was I thinking…?” she whispered to herself. Considering the circumstances, that dream right happened at the worst moment. She watched herself at the mirror and quickly took her dress off: the veins on her stomach were glowing in black, but not in a constant way. Sometimes they got red, then black again, then totally disappeared under her skin. 

She swallowed. 

She knew that this would be happen, and yet seeing her body changing like that hurt her more than she could imagine. She felt deprived of her humanity, her sense of normalcy. She felt like … she didn’t deserved to be loved anymore now, not even by herself. Her body wasn’t even hers anymore, but just a device to be disposed of when she’s done wasting away.

Luna closed her eyes and swallowed her pride: “To save the world… To save the world.” 

Maybe repeating it like a mantra would have convinced her in the end. Saying it proved to have little effect on her state of mind. Such foolishness.

Luna cleaned herself with a meticulous care, trying to wash away the anguishing sensation of deterioration from her skin. She used half of the bottle of soap and scrubbed her arms and stomach like she never did before. She really tried to forget the pain which tormented her deeply in the soul, closing her eyes and sinking a bit in the tub. But when she did that, the image of Nyx passionately kissing her popped up in her mind and she almost drowned, much to her embarrassment.

She realized there was no safe place in her mind. Luna worried for not being able to save the world and for the shameless dream she casually had about her charming bodyguard. Her thoughts where such a mess. 

Actually, the dream particularly confused her. Where did it come from? Of course there were a lot of things she appreciated in her bodyguard’s persona, for example his funny yet protective personality, his witty eyes, his courage, his strength and also, the way he took care of her without forcing her doing something against her will. But that dream clearly showed she unconsciously was attracted by his physical appearance too, in a way she never had been with nobody. And that was something new for her, unexpected, embarrassing and somehow… Wrong. Totally wrong for so many reasons.

And not only because she was promised to another man. She just knew she wouldn’t be available for anyone very soon in any case, not even to Noctis. And she didn’t even had to start talking about an immigrant Glaive with no house or title. 

For some mysterious reason she started caressing her body exactly where Nyx touched her in the dream, starting from the face, to the neck, to her hip, her leg… It left her wondering if he would actually do that, even if he knew what she was secretly losing her humanity. She stopped when she understood he probably wouldn’t have. He would be disgusted by it. And he also would get very mad for not telling him before. 

She felt bad for even indulging on that thought. Yet, the fire that burned under her skin during the dream made her feel so alive and so real, it was hard to renounce to the memory of it. Maybe that was faulty assumption because she was kind of already sentenced to death. She didn’t belong to herself anymore. Luna couldn’t decide on her own how to use that decaying body. She decided long ago to sacrifice every bit of it for the sake of the people and there was no turning back now. 

She started brushing her skin harder, and then frantically squirted shampoo on her scalp. To change the line of her thoughts, she tried to remember the fall of Insomnia, Ravus burning after using the ring, Regis murdered in front of her very eyes. 

King Regis… He sacrificed his own humanity for the world too, which somehow gave her comfort. Noctis would have done the same pretty soon. Death marked the life of them all so deeply they couldn’t even think to enjoy life in the meantime. It was a luxury they couldn’t afford. 

She thought about what she had to do next: waking up Leviathan and forging an Alliance with her. Since the hostility of the Goddess of the Sea was well-known, the ritual would have required more energy than usual. The ritual could very well be Luna’s last.

She realized how short her time left was and even if she prepared her all life to be strong in such a critical time, she couldn’t think about anything else but home. She still wasn’t ready for Altissia. She wanted to go back to Tenabrae, even for few days.

Nyx sat at the edge of a sidewalk, drinking from his plastic cup and reading the newspaper. In the first page there was the mysterious disappearance of the Archaean from the Disc of Cauthess and all the facetious lies the Empire invented to justify it and bury the event down. In fact, he knew what was the truth: Prince Noctis infiltrated in the Disc and successfully obtained the Titan’s blessing thanks to Lunafreya. He was surprised in seeing that Ravus Nox Fleuret was interviewed for the occasion.

“So, he isn’t dead …” He mumbled to himself, remembering the moment when he used the ring and almost got killed by it. There was also a photo of him, which was interesting: it looked like the Empire wanted to make a big show about the influence of their “High Commander”, maybe to convince everybody that if a Fleuret supported them, so should have everybody. 

Nyx shook his head, disappointed. “Your sister doesn’t look like you, not even a bit.” He turned the paper, to watch the photo closer. “Well, fine, you may have the same facial features but you really don’t look alike either, you know what I mean?”

“Why are you talking with the newspaper …?” 

Nyx boggled and turn around to see the Princess standing in front of him, her arms crossed, her face uneasy. He swallowed, noticing her mood didn’t got any better.

“Yeah, well, no… Yes. It looks like your brother is still alive.” Nyx expected to give her a big news, but Luna simply bit her lip.

“I already knew that.” That was surprising. 

“Really? How?”

“Gentiana told me.”

“Oh. That lady that goes around with her eyes closed and speaks in cryptic riddles.”

“A divine messanger and also a goddess” Luna sharply corrected him.

“Yeah, that.” He gave her the newspaper. “Did you read about the Empire’s opinion about what happened to the Archaean, too?”

Luna took the paper, being very careful not touching his hand. She just couldn’t afford other dream’s flashbacks right now. She took a couple minutes to read the article and to weigh the truth beyond the evident lies. 

“So Noctis has arrived to the Disc of Cauthess …” She whispered, thinking about sending him a message via Umbra. She should have tried to summon the dog later, when she was alone. When she raised her eyes, she caught Nyx staring at her and caused her emotions to flutter beyond measure. “What?” she asked, annoyed.

“You left you hair down.” That was the stupidest answer Luna could ever get. She just didn’t braid her hair because after the shower, it was still wet. 

“So why is that worth noticing?”

Nyx wasn’t intimidated by her bad mood and just admitted, “You look better like this.”

Luna literally slammed the newspaper on his chest, as much violently as she could, causing him to flinch in silence. She walked ahead, looking outraged like he just insulted her and started tying her hair up.

Luna made clear that she wanted to leave as soon as possible. Finally realizing that he shouldn’t have even try to contradict her, Nyx packed the few things they had and prepared for leaving. He sighed deeply looking at what time it was: evening already, which meant they would have to camp somewhere soon. 

It didn’t make any sense to set off now, but here he was on the wheel, turning the car on. 

“So, where are we headed?” 

Lunafreya decided to sit in the backseat to keep the distance. “Galdin Quay.” 

“Galdin Quay? Really? Why? You want to get a tan and relax on the beach?”

Luna didn’t answer and Nyx raised his eyebrows and sighed again. “Oh, right. I can see you’re not in the mood for talking today. Guess I missed that cue.”

“Just take me there.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

Nyx pulled over after two hours of driving, stopping by a dark forest.

“What’s going on?” Luna complained. 

“It’s dark, Princess, and I don’t think the road is safe anymore. I’ll take you to the closest camp site and we will wait for the morning light to come.”

“We are just some miles away from our destination!” Nyx turned towards her, resting the arm on the seat.

“I refuse to drive at night. And I refuse to allow you to behave like you suddenly can’t think rational. So please, my dear princess, now shut up and do what I say. Get out of the car.”

Luna opened her mouth to reply something but she couldn’t so she quickly get out and follow him. “You can’t talk to me like this!”

“I just did,” Nyx replied, taking out of the trunk a lot of useful stuff for camping. “Carry this.” He gave her a small baggage ignoring her scandalized expression, while he decided to carry the rest. He closed the car and headed to the closest blue light which signed the existence of a camp site.

Lunafreya was so shocked by his determination she couldn’t reply anymore and just followed him until they arrived at the camp. She hesitated. The haven was a small hill carved in stone, large enough to host a modest group of people, rocks were engraved with runes. As she recognized the symbols, she ceased further complaints immediately, instead a wave of melachony overwhelmed her.

Those safe havens were protected by white magic, gifted by the Oracle itself, but Luna wasn’t the one to credit for such a benevolent deed.

“Mother…” she whispered, turning slowly around on her feet, reading the runes like it was a private message Sylva Nox Fleuret left to her years ago. Luna’s heart ached aknowledging that her mother’s power was still coursing in those safe havens even after such a long time had passed.

“Mh? You said something?” Nyx asked, starting to prepare things for the night. Luna shook her head and said no more. She sat on a chair and observed her Glaive as as he pitched the tent and assembled the grill.

However, when Nyx finally started to prepare dinner, the dream came up to her mind again, making her forgetting about her mother and turning red. In the end, she was forced to move the chair away so she hadn’t to watch him anymore. If she wouldn’t have learned to deal with the embarrassment that the dream brought to her, she would have soon start to beg the Gods to kill her off sooner than expected. As a matter of fact, to scroll of the thought of it, she had to focus on the dark forest around, noticing just now what a beautiful night it was, warm and with the scent of sea in the air: they were clearing getting closer to the south beach. 

“Sorry for interrupting your meditation but dinner is ready, Your Highness.” Nyx said after a couple of minutes, placing a dish on a small table made in wood. Luna turned around and looked at what he prepared.

“Is that…?”

“An hamburger. Yeah. Since you never tasted one, I thought you would like to try it.” He also put a bottle of water on the table and some cookies. “Here, these ought to sweeten your mood.”

Luna’s heart ached hearing those words, realizing how much concern she was putting on him only because of her inexplicable behavior. Yet, she didn’t apologize. 

Nyx sat on the other chair, clearing his hands with a tissue. He carefully studied her reaction when she tasted the hamburger, trying to understand if she liked it or not. Luna had some troubles at first (her good manners forbidden her to touch the food with her bare hands), but as she started to eat she realized how hungry she was.

“It’s… good,” she commented, raising her eyes to watch him smile. The Princess Oracle stopped chewing for a second, impressed by the beauty of him. For Astrals’ sake, how did she never notice how much attractive he was? “Thank you.”

His braids slide back as he tilted his head and scrolled his large shoulders. “You’re welcome.”

Luna looked down, burning red. Certainly he did notice, but didn’t ask.  They ate in silence, listening to the sound of the night and smelling the fire, until Umbra came, hamming to receive Luna’s attention. 

“Umbra.” The princess stood up and approached him, taking the diary from his collar and quickly opening it at the right page.

–  I received the blessing. Thank you, Luna – 

Luna sighed in relief, smiling. Having news from Noctis in times like these was an oasis in a desolate desert. 

Nyx leaned on, resting the elbows on his knees and looking at her to read her reactions. “What did he say?” he asked, curious to see what made her so happy after a whole day of bad mood.

“Noctis received the Archaean’s blessing.”

“Good. As we read between the lines of the newspaper.”

Luna nodded. “Yes. Our efforts were not in vain.”

At first, Nyx felt a little cramp at the stomach in seeing that the prince was able to steal such a blissful smile from her with only a written phrase, but in the end, seeing her in a good mood again was more important that his slightly wounded pride.

“You’re doing a good job, Princess. I told you that before.”

“You’re doing too–!” she raised her face and found him closer than she expected, which made her almost die for an heart attack. She jumped on her feet and walked into the tent, Umbra following her from a very close distance.

“Wait!” Nyx screamed, standing up and opening his arms in frustration. “Wait, Princess, what …?” 

Stupidly enough, Luna stopped as he asked. There was absolutely no reason to not ignore him and yet, there she was, petrified at the tent’s entrance. Nyx really needed explanations now so he took advantage of the brief moment he had and asked: “Did Ramuh did something to you? Or is it because something i did? Why are you acting like that?”

“It’s nothing, you were just too close.”

“Too close?” he asked, squeezing his eyes in surprise. 

“Yes. The proximity is totally improper for us.” Now Nyx was really shocked. 

“In Insomnia I saved you multiple times making shield with my own body on yours, you healed me twice putting you forehead on mine, we slept in the same room, I carried you in my arms when you fainted and took you to the motel, and now you came out with the idea that our proximity is improper? You didn’t complain last time I checked.”

“What… No!” Luna opened her mouth to reply but now that he listed it, she had to admit they really had been so close so many times that her excuse could be considered a proper nonsense. “That was … before!”

Nyx stepped ahead, again with his arms open, to show that for him the proximity really wasn’t a problem. “Before what?”

Luna putted a hand on his chest to keep him distant, but that only got him closer. “Before the dream!” Her voice started to sound louder.

“You mean you’re being hostile over a dream?”

Luna swallowed hard without looking him in the eyes, brimming with tears. “Sir Nyx, please, don’t…”

“Oh,cut it with this Sir Nyx crap and ‘keep the distance’ order! What kind of dream could turn you against me, after all we’ve been through?”

“What if I don’t want to tell you?”

“What if you start being honest with me, Princess? Would that be too much to  ask?”

“What if it was a dirty dream about you and I really found it too embarrassing to admit?” Luna screamed in the end, blushing even more, feeling her heart beating so loud she was scared he would hear it.

Nyx froze on place, squeezed his eyes and opened his mouth in shock. “O-oh” he stuttered after 30 seconds of pure silence, interrupted only by the delicate sound of Umbra whimpering. The dog looked like the only one really at ease with the whole situation. “I see. Well, that… would explain a lot.” 

Luna wanted to cry and dig her own grave, but she didn’t realize she actually started to do it. Her eyelashes were wet with tears and a cool breeze hit her burning face.

Seeing that made Nyx feel even worse. “I think I… should sleep on the chair.” He didn’t expect anything similar and simply didn’t know how to react in such a situation. He cursed himself for pushing her to confess, he was such a jerk, as always. 

That legitimately was the most embarrassing situation he ever deal with.  Luna hid the face in her hands and turned away, entering in the tent with only Umbra, and there she stayed the whole night.

They both didn’t sleep a lot, because there was so many things to think of. They were dealing with new feelings that shouldn’t have been there in the first place, and yet they were, even if they didn’t know until that very moment. The consistency of those feelings was weird as well: they were exciting and pleasant, but also scaring and terribly inappropriate, full of hopes and totally hopeless. They both tried to ignore them and when they couldn’t, they just suffocated them under layers of sense of duty and responsibilities.

Luna woke up in the tent, realizing that Umbra slept alongside with her, maybe understanding that she couldn’t be left alone now. The Oracle found relief only when she hugged him, pulling him closer. His fur and his warm body gave her the comfort she needed, making her realize that in the end, no matter what that dream was about, it didn’t matter. Her destiny was settled, her goal was clear. 

She quickly took the diary and wrote few sentences back to Noctis.  She probably cried during her sleep, but now she felt better and her mind was clearer. 

“Here, take the message to Noctis. And please, send Pryna to Tenaebrae. I need her there,” she whispered, caressing the dog’s fur. Umbra hammed and ran out of the tent, disappearing pretty fast into the forest. Luna stood up and arranged her hair so she would look presentable. She then took a deep breath and stepped out of the tent. 

Of course, Nyx was there. He was making some push-ups but immediately stopped when he noticed her. The dark circles under his eyes showed he didn’t sleep right and the sweat on his forehead proved that he was exercising for hours already. 

They looked each other in the eyes for a long time before the Glaive slyly muttered, “… 'Morning.”

Luna nodded, but there was a strength in her eyes it wasn’t there the day before. She got closer to the small fridge they brought with them and chose a little bottle of milk and some cookies as breakfast. Nyx stood still for all the process, watching her as he caught his breath, trying to understand her mood.

“Princess…” He started, feeling uncomfortable because of that weird silence.

“I don’t want to talk about yesterday.” Luna calmly gestured at him, keeping her focus on breakfast.

Nyx nodded and tried to act normal, start preparing for departure. He disassembled the tent and the grill, packing things in the car. Thanks to haven, the operation took a lot of energy out of him so he could avoid to mess his thoughts around more than he already had. 

When he finished, he realized that he smelled gross and that he really needed to have a shower and change his clothes. “I–” He pointed to something in the distance. “I have to clean myself, so I should…” 

“Just go, Nyx,” she answered, trying to look as much detached as possible. “I won’t peek.”

Nyx noticed her coldness and was somehow annoyed by it. All that was unfair since he wasn’t the one having dirty dreams about her. Why should he have been the one to look embarrassed now?

If she could act detached, he could act sarcastic: “I just wanted to warn you since you couldn’t put a lid on those hot and heavy dreams of yours.” He said, flexed his back and shoulders.

The cup almost fell from Luna’s hands as she turned around to glance at him with outraged eyes. But Nyx was kind of satisfied by her reaction and simply walked away, smiling and raising his eyebrows.

They arrived at Galdin Quay for lunch, keeping the distance from one another, a one-sided effort on the Princess Oracle’s part. Nyx parked the car near the gas station, under a canopy and after he filled the tank, he looked at the princess getting out of the car and walking away.

“What now?” he asked, but he got no answer. He sighed, hating that day already. 

Lunafreya stepped ahead under the burning sun of this place. It was the first time she got there but it was exactly like she read in the tourist books: blue sea, white sand, palms coming out of the water, mountain hills in the distance, the wooden path which connected the beach to the restaurant. It was beautiful and relaxing and she stared at it for one minute before to move on. She knew exactly what she was looking for, but she didn’t know where to find it. 

She went for the restaurant and Nyx didn’t have other choice but follow her.  They walked under the burning sun until a waiter approached them with a cheerful: “Welcome to Galdin Quay!” 

Luna looked at him surprised by the merry atmosphere, confused by the noises of the laughters and the clients asking for drinks. Somehow, she couldn’t accept that place was such a golden oasis of peace when Crown City was destroyed just the week before.

They went onward until they reached the counter. There it was a young man, clearly trying to flirt with the nice cook with very little success. He was saying something like: “Let me love you like the 'bellissima donna’ you really are” but his accent was so weird and his style so exaggerated, that Luna found it embarrassing.

Nyx snorted into a laugh, shaking his head in sign of pity: “If I flirted with you like that in your dream, you’re right to be upset with me.” He commented in a whisper, getting close enough so only Luna could hear that.

“You did not …!” she replied in an hurry, her cheeks on fire, eyes widening.

She stopped halfway in her sentence but Nyx seemed genuinely curios and waited for her to continue: “Yes, tell me more, Princess. What exactly did we do in your 'dirty dream’?”

“…Shut up.” She tried to regain her composure but it was hard with him so close.

“I can’t really imagine what Miss Purity Of Mind And Soul can define as 'dirty’. Was there at least a kiss?” 

“Stop now.”

“Okay, so it was at least a kiss. But why are you so testy? Was it that bad?”

“Nyx, I said I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s concentrate on things that are really important.”

Nyx raised an eyebrow and murmured: “Not bad at all, right?” Nyx should have thank Shiva, Titan, Ramuh and all the other deities of Eos because Lunafreya didn’t hear him, since she was already approaching the cook, giving her a break from those terrible flirting attempts. 

“Excuse me, can I bother you for a moment?”

The woman really looked relieved and gladly listened to Luna.

“Of course! My name is Coctura, how can I help you?” 

“I’m looking for a ship to sail. Do you know to who should I talk to buy tickets?” 

“It’s not your lucky break. Since the fall of Insomnia, the travel routes have been blocked and ships won’t be sailing any time soon.”

“What if I want to go home?” 

Nyx was listening from the distance, but hearing the princess talking like that, he got closer.

“Home where?”

“I need a ride to Tenebrae.”

All of a sudden, the strange philanderer blustered in a laugh, capturing everyone’s attention.“What is the former Princess of Tenebrae looking back home when she’s supposed to meet her groom-to-be in Altissia?” he asked in a mocking tone, leaning on the counter.

“Yeah, I would like to know that, too,” Nyx said, crossing his arms in surprise. Then he realized that the weird man recognized her and suddenly boggled. “Hey! You…!”

The man introduced himself with an irreverent bow. “Name’s Dino and I’m a reporter. The lady’s too famous for not being recognized by the masses. Funny how I spotted you just like that.”

Coctura looked at Lunafreya and placed her hands on her mouth. “Lady Lunafreya!”

Luna quickly invited her to lower her voice and then nodded. “Yes, it’s me. Can you please try to not draw too much attention to us?”

Coctura was so excited she could barely whisper. “Of course, your Highness. I won’t tell a soul.”

Dino didn’t seem to have the same opinion. “I guess this is the part where you ‘fess up your intentions then. Planning on leaving Prince Noctis at the altar?”

“Why do you care?” Nyx asked, quickly defensive on the princess. Luna instinctively putted a hand on his arm, not to shut him up but at least to let him know she still had the situation under control. Nyx immediately regained his coolness. 

Dino raised his hands in the air. “Hey, relax, buddy! I know quite a few things and I can’t stop this burning curiosity of mine, you see. On that note, who are you? Let me guess. Little braids, tattoos on the face, muscled body – it looks like the Princess Oracle has picked herself up a bodyguard from Galahd. But that place almost got wiped off the map, didn’t it?”

Nyx grinned and there was nothing friendly behind it, intolerance might be the better phrase. He didn’t like that guy already and looked at Luna to understand how she wanted him to behave in that situation.

Luna shook her head. “Let him be. I trust he won’t tell the Empire about us.”

Dino didn’t miss her presumptuous glance but he didn’t miss other details either. “No, I don’t have any interest in revealing your whereabouts to the Empire. Whoever liked them anyway? But you see, in these difficult times I’m not concentrating my efforts only on journalism, and maybe that’s why I’m giving youse guys a break.”

Luna and Nyx were confused by the line of talk, not understanding what Dino was trying to say, so they both frowned and waited for him to continue. He was watching at them like a dealer examining fine pieces of art. “So, what happened between you two?” he asked in the end, joining his hands on the counter and suddenly trying to look very professional.

Luna and Nyx opened their eyes in shock and expressed their disbelief simultaneously: “What?” 

Dino chuckled and pointed at them with one finger. “Exactly what I said. I have a special eye for precious gemstones and… not just literally but metaphorically, too. And you guys, wow. What a rare beauty. What a polish.”

“Oh, for Stars’ sake…” Luna murmured, squeezing her eyes and then wide opening them. 

Nyx took the princess’s arm and tried to lead her away. “We’re wasting our time here, Princess. We better go.”

“You’re too easy! C'mon, guys, not even the struck blind and dumb can’t ignore the tension between you, I’m just calling it like I see it. But if you’re willing to tell me more, I can find you a way to Tenebrae.” This made both Luna and Nyx froze on mid-step for a lot of reasons. Dino raised his eyebrows and opened his arms. “I may be your only chance, actually.”

“You said you’re a reporter…” Luna said, narrowing her eyes.

“And a gemstones collector. And a ritzy jeweler. I also like big boats.”

“How is a jeweler supposed to find us passage to Tenebrae?”

“I told you. There are a lot of gems of different cuts and sizes. I have my ways.” Dino patted on the chair next to him. “So, Your Highness and her brawny bodyguard, have a seat and let’s chat.”

Luna and Nyx shared a worried look, they didn’t have a lot of choice. Luna sat on the chair first and Nyx couldn’t leave her alone.

Dino seemed pretty excited from the result he obtained. He took out a recorder and placed it on the table. Coctura clapped her hands and excitedly announced: “I’ll bring some refreshments.”

“Let’s start from the beginning. Did you meet in Insomnia? During the attack? And what got you to stay together?” Dino asked.

“Is that what you want? An interview? I already submitted a statement to Vyv, another journalist.”

Dino waved his hand like he wanted to chase away the thought of it. “Yeah, I heard that one. But Vyv is very different, he just wants good articles and good photos, everything very accurate and professional. I prefer gossip. The juicier, the better.”

“Then we are very sorry to disappoint you. We have nothing to say for lucative tabloids and we care that you do not publish such.”

“Publish? Who said I want to publish anything? I’m recording for my own pleasure. Mamma mia ragazzi, you didn’t listen to a word I said before, right? I’m a gemstones collector. I collect things and only occasionally sell them for the public. Real honest work here. Prince Noctis will bring me real gems to make my jewelry business soar but you… You will give me something different. Something much worth my time.”

“Prince Noctis?” Luna asked, surprised. “You met him? He was here?”

“Yeah, he was here and he’ll be back soon. Do you want to wait for him here? You could leave for Altissia together.” While Dino asked the question, Nyx was curious about the answer in the same way. He actually wondered multiple times why the princess didn’t want to look for the prince, instead of going on her own separate journey to wake up the Six. 

“No, we were promised to meet in Altissia.”

“Yet you’re going to Tenebrae,” Dino insinuated. “Runnaway bride, much?”

“Only for a short while. I want to see my home again, once more before… everything will happen in Altissia. I may not get another chance.”

Dino frowned and looked at Nyx, in a very sad way. “Your last piece of journey alone.”

“Excuse me?” Nyx growled.

“You know what, guys? The Princess and the Guardian has always been one of my favorite tropes. I mean, I’m sorry for Prince Noctis but now that I see you in person I–”

“Listen, can you really guarantee us a ride to Tenebrae or not?” Nyx was really starting to get annoyed and his face showed it entirely.

Dino sighed and made a grimace, taking out from his jacket a cell phone and showing it to them. “I only have to make one call” he answered, pushing the green button and actually making that 'one call’.

After that, he explained them that a ship would have come from Tenebrae the next day, transporting goods and stuff. Since all the trades were closed by the Empire, that ship may or not may be legal but at least that would have permit them to go to Tenebrae unnoticed. 

“You want us to sail on a pirate ship?” Luna asked, stunned.

“Oh no. You want to go to Tenebrae and I said that the only way is through a pirate ship. So now that I assured you a safe travel to your homeland, can we continue the interview or not?”

But Luna smiled in a mischievous yet detached way, something that nobody would have ever think she was actually capable of doing. “Well… No.”

Dino shrugged. “I’ll have to report your presence to the Empire then.”

“Of course, I invite you to try. But as you know, my brother has been proclaimed High Commander recently, I’m certain he will help us out somehow. Instead I wonder who will release you out of prison if I confess your involvement in illegal trades with pirates and almost placed me, the Oracle of Eos, in great peril.”

Dino froze and almost didn’t notice when Coctura came back with the cocktails.

“Here, Lady Lunafreya, hope you’ll like it!” 

Luna and Dino were still watching themselves in the eyes, one strong and satisfied, the other shocked.

After a moment, Dino took a glass and raised it, looking at Nyx and bursting into laughter: “Good luck with this smart-mouthed royalty, buddy. You’re gonna need it.”

[luxintima-a-blog]

Eye for an Eye - Blind!Noctis AU

The moment he saw what had happened to Ignis, the scars on his face that spelled near certain doom for what was arguably the most important part of him. Ignis relied on his eyes, to do just about everything that he did. No more cooking, none of the reading that he knew the man loved to do. None of it would happen again and it hurt far more than the tears on the book and the flower that showed in it. No, knowing that his damn pushing to get to Altissia in time to meet Luna and thank her had done this, it threatened to eat him alive. But for the time he put up a great front, ensuring that no one knew that it was Ignis that he was falling apart over, not until he was alone after the doctor came and told them they needed to sit around for a while longer while his injuries healed.

It gave him the opportunity to call on the Astrals he’d already made a contract with. The three that would answer him acting as a mouth piece for him to the others. Noctis begged, something he would never do in front of anyone else, and had he the energy he needed to grovel he would have. It was to his favor that the gods would listen, promising to grant his request before they left the ruined water city. And while the vague answer had him slightly upset, he knew they wouldn’t go back on their word.

One day turned to two, and when he awoke on the third day it was little more than an act to open his eyes. One hand came to his face to ensure he had indeed opened them, before a sad sort of smile ran across his face. It was worth the price, especially when he heard Ignis down the hallway quietly excited that he could see again. Gladio calling it a miracle and Prompto’s cheer echoed along with it as he heard them coming closer. Words didn’t even leave their mouths when they entered the room. Ignis’ shocked intake of air, shoes quiet on the floor until he was sitting on the side of the bed and running a thumb over the marks that had appeared. Prompto was asking if there was something they could do, if it was as bad before suddenly careening into how it could have happened.

Noctis explained, telling how broken Ignis had looked and how he knew that sight was important to him, about how he’d made a deal with the gods to take his sight instead and they had accepted. He could learn to cope with this, because his friends being happy was far more important to him than his well being. It was with a dark chuckle that he mentioned that a King didn’t need to see to rule, but if he couldn’t get information from his advisor then he was doomed to fail.

Ignis presumably bolted, off to find some tome in the remains of Altissia that he could consult, and Prompto followed because he couldn’t sit and look at the marks on his face. Only Gladio remained, floor creaking beneath his booted footsteps as he moved to mimic Ignis’ actions. His super heated hands felt nice on scarred skin, something that was reflected in the tone of voice. A quiet question of why he did it, no malice or reproach that he could find at the moment. And though he only had about ten minutes to prepare for the encounter he’d just had with his friends, it didn’t show at all with the smile he gave his shield.

“A king gives his all for his people. It’s a small price to pay, n-never mind that it keeps you all safer to have all three of you i--” Words were cut off as he’s pulled flush against the behemoth of a man’s chest. A show of support despite everything. The embrace only lasts a few seconds, before Gladio is coughing, likely to cover up the fact that he was having a reaction to the turn of events. More creaks, the sound stopping just outside of the door as the lock clicked into place. He would stand guard over his crippled charge.

Noctis gave a sigh, blindly groping for the bedside table where he’d put the Ring of the Lucii. He was going to try something, now that he’d have to relearn how to fight. A call to the astrals to warn him if his attempt would shorten his lifespan at all, knowing full well the crystal was leeching strength from him. 

The prince attempted to put up a bubble of sorts, the point of which was to alert himself if someone came within a certain distance of him. Something he noticed immediately was that it didn’t work for inanimate things. Noctis had based the barrier on blizzard magic, so if something warmer than the air around him broke the barrier, he’d know. An interruption in the flow of magic, he wished he had been smart enough to come up with it on his own, but Ramuh had given him this idea.

“Now all I have to do is wait for someone to come give me something. Or for the bed to suddenly burst into flames. I guess either would work.”

After a day of discussion with @fieryknowledge, I decided to write this thing to get the bunny out of my head. This is going to be a verse for Noctis, because why not. As with all the others, it is open to any who want to RP in it. I will shove random things in here every so often because I like this AU.

Asks, Threads, and Images for the verse.

[novadragon53]

Fan Fict ( Final Fantasy XV ) - The Lucian Heirs

Chapter 3: Departure Noctis then puts his hand on his chest feeling a heavy weight on him and looks into the sky. " stay safe dear sister where ever you may be. " Gladiolus then calls out to him " Hey Noct , snap out of it " Noctis then turns to his friends " coming " Meanwhile at the crown city Sarah got captured along with her companions Vaan , Penelo , Balthier , Fran , Basch , Ashe. Ravus Nox Fleuret Older brother of Noctis's betrothed , Lunafreya demands Audrey to help him restore peace to Lucis. " No I refuse to help , I am Sarah Lucis Caelum the heir of Lucis. " Ravus then threatens to kill Audrey if she cannot offer proof of her claim. Ashe then talks about something regarding the Ring of the Lucii having a twin in the case a female is born to the royal family though there has not been one for many centauries and this time there Lucis had two heirs. Just then the silver ring in Vaan's hands begin to glow. Ravus then demands the ring and Vaan reluctantly gives it to him. As soon as he held it the ring grows hot and burns itself in sacred fire forcing Ravus to drop it. Audrey immediately picks it up and as soon as she does that the flame dies down. Upset about the current turn of events Ravus then sends the group to be incarnated with Serah kept separate from the rest of the group who eventually breaks free of the captors with the help of Lunafreya and Nyx. Vaan wanted to go back but was stopped by the rest of the group telling him that is impossible the chances are that she will be kept in a high security location with no other choice he was forced to abandon rescuing Serah. Vaan then tells Nyx to rescue Serah who was still held captive by imperials. While sitting alone Serah looks at the ring in her hand. She hears a voice call out to her looking up she did not see anything and goes back deep on thought looking at the silver ring in her hand. Serah then feels a tug on her clothes looking up again she sees a small green creature with a ruby horn on its head about the size of a small fox. It then talks to Serah using telepathy... " I am Carbuncle , your brother cares for you and had asked me to remain by your side " " My brother is alive ? " " Yes , they are heading to Lestallum. " There is then a click at the cell door and Nyx walks in " Serah , I am here to get you out and take you to your companions " Making their way to the outskirts of town they found themselves surrounded Nyx then shoves Serah out the gate and closes it behind her. " you have to find Lunafreya " those were the last words she herd. Serah then travels by foot to the nearest city Lestallum. She did not make it far and collapses on the road miles away from the city. The next day... Serah awakens in a hotel room alone , the innkeeper walks in " how are you feeling ? some locals found you collapsed on the side of the road and brought you here. " " where am I ? " " You are at a inn at Lestallum " Sitting up Serah then looks down at the bed her long, black hair falls down in a low ponytail tied back with a blue clip " Um , have you seen a young man standing around 5' 9 with spiky black hair and blue eyes that somewhat looks similar to me ? " The innkeeper then walks up to Serah and puts a ring in her hand " this was also found on you when you were brought in , so is it true you know the prince " " Yes , he is my older brother we are twins and heirs to Lucis. " " then take this , a gift from your brother dropped it off before setting out somehow he knows you may come here. " leaving a box on the bed before walking back out. Serah picks up the box and opens it inside is a silver chain and a letter Dear sister Serah , I am sorry I cannot stay with you and I am currently heading to Altissia as we speak but the ship that goes there is still out of commission. I know your birthday is coming up so I got you this necklace I hope you like it. Just remember no matter where I am I will always be with you. Your Brother , Noctis ounce again Serah finds herself alone in a big dark world. Carbuncle again appears next to her. " master are you ok ? , you are not alone you got me , and those resistance members they are your friends you given them hope and a will to take back what rightfully belongs to them and you. " It then puts a furred paw on Serah " that ring is your birthright always keep it with you. " Serah then hangs the sister ring of lucii around her neck and holds it. As soon as she did she herd a voice call out to her the voice of Fenrir , the demon-wolf. Serah follows the astral voice leading her to Fenrir who passes a trial on her to gain his favor forcing her to fight alone. Her bad mood caused her to sag in the saddle quite suddenly when an attack forces her to the ground, " I don't understand , what is there left to fight for I lost everything my only family and my friends... " Carbuncle steps in to help , the ring around Serah's neck then reacts. By now Noctis has already made a pact with Titan and Ramuh. He is on his way to the nearby Imperial Base to recover the missing Regalia. After fighting through the magitek armors and soldiers at the base, he is confronted by Ravus Nox Fleuret before he can reach the car. Ravus berates them and is about to battle them but Ardyn intervenes, instructing Ravus to go to Altissia. With the Regalia recovered, the party returns to Lestallum. Noctis and his group was on the way to the inn to meet with Iris when he was stricken with a sudden headache much worse then during the time he encountered the Archaean and collapses. " Noct...Noct " his friends call out to him but they were unable to wake him.        

[thechocobros]

“SEE LUNA SAFE TO ALTISSIA” - part 5

Pair: Nyx Ulric / Lunafreya Nox Fleuret

Previously: AO3 LINK

Words: 6297

Plot: Luna and Nyx didn’t fell in the Empire’s trap, Nyx didn’t had to use the ring and he survived. What would have happened if Nyx really had the chance to ‘see Luna safe to Altissia’, like he promised to Regis? Here the part 5: Nyx and Luna take a little break, and even if Nyx knows by now that Luna hides a secret, he just can’t help but staying at her side, supporting her. Even in front of the Lord of the Storm.

Personal Comment: this time the chapter is longer than I expected, yet I decided to not split it in two. I hope you like the romance because I will kinda push it from now on ;) Thanks as always to @loveiscosmicsin for being my beta reader and @ramibriidge for the love and the amazing arts (this time it’s really amazing OMGGGGG love it!)

Nyx streched a bit in the bed, rolling over to his side. The sleep was good for once and he never felt better. How much time pass since he slept this well? He didn’t remember. Actually, he couldn’t answer on why he felt so good now. 

A thought crossed his mind and the image of Titan from afar appeared. That Titan. Oh, right, he and the princess infiltrated the Disc of Cauthess the night before and she forged the covenant with the Archaean. Now that they were back in the motel, they were having the rest they deserved.

He quickly opened his eyes and found himself in a motel room with dark green walls and a not-so-pleasant odor. He was sleeping with heavy blankets over his body and not far from where he was, there was another bed where Lunafreya was resting. 

He finally remembered what happened after they faced the Titan: they were both exhausted when they barely arrived at the motel. They didn’t even ask for separate rooms. They just accepted to sleep under the same roof so they wouldn’t have to arrange the schedule again. Anyway, they both fell fast asleep with their clothes still on their backs. 

Nyx sat on his bed and rubbed his eyes. He checked the clock: it was 9AM. He didn’t actually sleep long, just six hours. 

He looked at the princess, covered in her blanket, the hands tucked under the pillow. She had a very calm expression, her face still dirty from the debris from the Disc, her hair loosely tossed on the sheets. The morning light was literally make her shine as if she really was the moon and Nyx lost track of time watching her. He stood there like that for awhile, maybe thirty seconds, maybe five minutes, he couldn’t tell. But it was relaxing. 

It wasn’t the first time he had slept next to a girl -- he grown up with his little sister, Crowe was in the same military unit as he was that it wasn’t unusual to bunk up on the field, and he also had several one-night stands. But whatever the relationship was with those girls, he never would have stay the entire morning watching them sleeping. With the princess now, it was different. 

He shook his head. What the hell was he doing? He hid his embarrassment with a silent laugh, then he stood up and headed to the bathroom. He had a cold shower - which was greatly appreciated - and watched himself in the mirror’s reflection. He adjusted his braid and checked the wounds of the precedent day and—

Wait. Wounds. Where were his wounds? He touched his left arm, then his face, going as far to check his limp. Everything was gone. He was perfectly healed. How…? 

He rolled his eyes and sighed. He quickly pulled a t-shirt on and walked out.  The noise he made slamming the door woke Lunafreya up, sparing the Glaive the effort of waking her up himself.

“What happened?” Still half-asleep, Luna spoke with her delicate voice. She really wasn’t a morning person.

“You healed me.” Nyx crossed his arms and tried to look pissed. He wasn’t really mad, of course, just worried.

“Excuse me...?” Luna rubbed her eyes and then watched him. 

“I specifically asked you not to heal my wounds. Yet, I woke up as good as I never was.”

“You make it sound like a terrible thing.” She yawned.

“It is!” he replied, opening his arms.

“How? You’re healthy and in good shape now!” She mimicked his gesture in a very funny way. Nyx really had to make an effort to not start laughing.

“I’m serious, Princess. Even though you will never admit it, it is clear as day that healing people takes a lot outta you. And whatever that is, I don’t want to be the cause of it.”

“I could say the same for you! I don’t want you to fight and get hurt because of me!” She paused, averting her gaze briefly before noticing the Glaive’s stance didn’t change. “It looks like we both are not very happy with the way we use our bodies to save each other, and yet here we are. And we are a team, Nyx Ulric. From now on, I’ll let you help me only if you’ll let me help you.” 

“I..” Nyx put the hands on his hips, dumbfounded. “I am your guardian! It’s my duty to protect you!” He tried to say.

“Yes and I’m your future Queen, so it’s my duty to act in your best interest.”

Nyx turned around and then faced her again, frustrated that the royal card was pulled on him. “You can do your talking very well, I’ll give you that.”

She did an half-smile, and with some self-satisfaction, boasted, “You know, politics and my adept navigation in compromises.”

“Please, don’t do it again.”

“What? Speaking like a politician or healing you?”

Nyx smiled and sat in the bed in front of her with his elbows on the knees.“Both.”

“I can’t promise anything.”

“Man, you’re stubborn as hell, really.” Again, she smiled like he was complimenting her. “So, how do you feel?”

The question make her concentrate back to her health and she tried to listen to her body. “Tired as I expected.”

“Nothing new then.” He grimaced. “So, what do you want to do now? Take a day off, sleep all day? Maybe you deserved it, you know, after speaking with deities…”

Luna thought about it for a few seconds and then she fell back on the bed. “I’d love to, but we have to go after the next Astral. The Lord of the Storm. Ramuh.”

“Yeah, wow, sounds like a lot of fun, but if you’re tired, you’d better get some rest. There’s still time. Surely the prince hasn’t even figured out what he has to do. Probably he’s still having fun somewhere with his friends.” 

Luna looked somehow surprised hearing that. She sat upright again and fixed the Glaive with an inquistive stare. “Why are you saying that?” 

Nyx hesitated one second and then decided to share what he heard. “Someone may have told me he was in Hammerhead with his friends the other day. Having fun. Joking around.” Luna frowned a bit, but didn’t say anything. She didn’t look upset, only surprised, and that pushed Nyx to add, “He’s still a kid, Princess. Give time to him and he will do what he has to.”

“You…” She started, slowly at a question. “Have you ever met him?” 

“The prince? Well, yeah, of course. Sort of. It’s not like I ever had a drink with him, but I did escort him sometimes. It was part of my job, when I was not in the battlefield against the Niffs.” 

Luna suddenly looked sad and shy. “And what is he like?”

Nyx felt uncomfortable. “You know, it’s weird you have to ask me to describe your future husband.” 

“I know, it’s just…” She started, looking even sadder. “I didn’t have the chance to meet him in the past twelve years and all I know was what he wrote in the notebook. And trust me when I say Noctis isn’t a really entertaining storyteller.” 

“So the marriage really was arranged.”

“Yes but I really care for him and—” Luna stopped when she noticed she was giving to much away. Nyx was staring at her, waiting her continuation, a respectful expression on his face, he really seemed to care. Yet, he was not allowed to. Nyx wasn’t her best friend. He was only her bodyguard. “It is of no consequence,” she said, standing up. “I’m going to refresh myself. Would you mind to… go out and find me some Ebony, please? If you can…”

Nyx crossed his arms and scrolled his shoulders.“Okay, I’ll go but …” He looked at her with his insightful grey eyes, “You shouldn’t keep everything for yourself, Princess. You need to talk to someone, and the longer we’re in this road trip, the more you’ll need a friend in where you can put your trust.”

He stood up, gently patted on her head like she was a little girl, and walked out of the room. 

Luna crossed the hands over her heart, her fingers casually caressing the necklace in a moon’s form that he gave to her and her face grew hot. Since he was so kind to her, she felt so ashamed for not telling him the truth, for not telling him a lot of things in general. She looked for the Ring of the Lucii in her pocket, not only to remind herself if it was still there, but also to remember the duty she was born into. She suddenly felt herheart ache too, a feeling that she hadn’t particularly felt towards anyone, a kindled connection. Her breath was stolen away for three long seconds. She glanced at her hands and saw her veins in her wrists turned black before the blue faded behind pale flesh. She gritted her teeth and sighed.

“I’m sorry, Nyx. I’m so sorry.”

For so many things, she didn’t even know what exactly.

Nyx took a little longer for coming back with the Ebony, and he found out that Luna went back to sleep again. She must have been really tired, he thought.  He drank his coffee alone on a wooden chair, watching her from afar. Again, he found her so beautiful that it was calming, but not only that. She was so distant now, too. She was clearly hiding so much from him and all he wanted in that very moment was to burn the distance between them and being the only person in the world she could trust. In the end, frustration and boredom ruined his day. 

Nyx didn’t have other choice than allow her to sleep until late afternoon. When he finally decided to wake her up, he touched her arm and shook her a bit.

“Mh? Oh no…” She said, understanding immediately what happened by only looking at his face. 

“Well, maybe we still have time for dinner.”

“Why didn’t you wake me up before the sunset?” She tried to sit up but Nyx carefully pushed her down again, easily winning over her.

“Because you needed rest and you would never admit it.”

“We can leave now.”

“During the nighttime? Oh, no, we won’t. I’m not in the mood to fight daemons now.”

Luna hid her face in the pillow, but watched him with an accusing eye. “So why did you wake me up now?”

He raised an eyebrow. “I told you. We’re still on time for dinner. Not hungry?”

Nyx insisted for her to wear a foulard again. It gave him some peace of mind not compromising the Oracle’s identity when they’re out in public.

Luna didn’t argue too much because she found it cute, almost felt like a diva with it. She had to complain when she found out where he was taking her though. “I don’t know if this is the right place for me…” She began, looking confused.

Nyx laughed at her expression. “You mean, it’s not appropriate to take the mighty and graceful Princess Oracle to…” He cupped a hand around his mouth in a hush-hush manner before whispering with a freakish expression equating to an iconic mascot, “…Kenny Crow?”

Luna covered her ears and smiled back. “This is so creepy, please stop, I hate that bird!”

“Oh, now this is interesting. The model of harmony and piousness here is actually saying she hates a living creature?” 

They were passing next to the bench were the statue of Kenny Crow was positioned and Luna looked at it with digust. “Please stop.”

Nyx couldn’t, she was just too cute to watch, all frightened by the creepy mascot. Teasing her was actually funnier than he thought.

“Don’t worry, Princess, I solemnly vowed to be your bodyguard and see you safe to Altissia. The big bad bird’s not gonna grab you on my watch.”

Luna glanced at him with disbelief in her eyes and they both entered in the restaurant. That really wasn’t the place for a princess, and yet it was funny to see her there, ordering some fries with mayonnaise at the counter.

Nyx got closer with the excuse of helping her choosing the menu. “I’ll have a hamburger instead. You should try it someday, too.” He whispered at her ear.

She was all red, the whole situation was so new and weird for her. “Okay…” 

“You never had a burger?”

“I… Guess… Is it something typical of Lucis?”

Nyx laughed, shaking his head. “Common staple cuisine at diners and drive-thrus. Oh man, what did they feed you with back in Tenabrae? You never lived if you never had a burger.”

In the end, they were both sitting on the table, one in the front of the other, Luna with her fries, Nyx with a giant hamburger, sampling from each other’s dish. Nyx kept teasing her for awhile but stopped when Luna began to answer back, tired of being mocked. Suddenly they were such in a good mood they didn’t stop laughing for the entire dinner time. Nyx told her a lot of funny anecdotes about the food back in Galahad, about him and Libertus stealing it from the market, and about the way they were caught by their mothers right after. And again, he told her about Galahad, the beauty of that forgotten land, about the nice little house they used to have there.

“Selena was having a garden in the back, full with all sorts of weird flowers. She had a thing for botany and I never understood why. Me and Libertus prefered to go out. The parties took place on daily basis, you know, chatting up girls and eating trash food.”

“That would explain why you took me to Kenny Crow.”

Nyx gave her a beautiful large smile. “Yeah, it looks like I didn’t lose my bad habits.” 

“You know what? I had a beautiful garden in Tenabrae too. I collected flowers there but my favorite ones were sylleblossoms.”

“Awesome. My sister and you would have got along well!” He said that smiling, but he turned sad in the end. “Yeah, really licked.” 

Luna understood she was truly enjoying his smile only when she saw it disappearing from his face. 

“You surely were an amazing brother, Nyx” she said, her voice delicate and comforting. “You still have something to fight for. You have to find Libertus, right? And then, when Noctis will reclaim his throne, you’ll have your homes back. You all will have a home to build a new future.”

Nyx glanced at her. “You sure? You mean, you’re gonna fire me as soon as all this is over? Might need a bodyguard in times of peace, too.”

Luna smiled, looking at her fries like they suddenly became the most interesting thing in the world and said nothing. She didn’t have an answer to that. She didn’t want to talk about her future.

Nyx lengthened on the table and tried to meet her eyes again. “Maybe you can come to visit Galahd instead. You’d love it.”

Luna smiled, looking amused.“Maybe...” She whispered. “…Will you show me the lake full of leeches you were talking about?” 

“Hell yeah! And we’ll throw Libertus in it!” 

“Poor sir Libertus!” 

They laughed again and finished their dinner. When they had to go back to the motel, there was some embarrassment this time. They slept in the same room two times already, but after a dinner like that - something that incredibly felt like a date - it was weird to enter in the same chamber. 

“I’ll ask at the reception if they have another free room.” Nyx said. “Let you have some privacy.”

Luna agreed and was actually relieved when they told him the room next to hers wasn’t occupied. At the same time, watching her Glaive moving in another room was surprisingly sad too. She was truly enjoying the evening in his company and maybe she didn’t want it to end.

“I’ll knock at your door at 7, so we can leave soon” Nyx explained, when they were in the corridor. He probably didn’t want to end their good time so soon either. “I think it’s about time you tell me where the next deity is.”

“Somewhere near the Malacchi Hills.” Nyx tugged his ear. 

“We’re not far,” he said. “I’ll wake up earlier to buy some things like potions and stuff this time though. I’d prefer you to save your energy for emergencies.”

“That is a sound plan.” She rested her hand on the door handle but didn’t open it. She looked at him again and stood still, making Nyx wondering if she felt the same or if she had something on her mind.

“Anything else... I can do for you, Princess?” 

Luna’s face was so red now, she almost felt blood pulsing underneath her cheeks.

“No, nothing important, it’s just that… It was fun. I haven’t done anything like that in ages. So… Thank you.” 

Nyx stared at her, not caring if he was shameless. He just wanted to photograph in his mind every detail of her in that very moment, when she was thankful and happy. She truly wasn’t in a very long time, he could tell. 

“I thought you hated Kenny Crow,” he smiled, raising an eyebrow. 

“Yes, but I felt safe by your side.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m so much better than a restaurant’s crap mascot.”

Luna giggled and pushed the door to enter in her room, when Nyx hold her back, grabbing her wrist. He didn’t know the reason of that gesture, as a matter of fact he immediately let her go.

“I’m sorry,” he said, really mortified. He felt like such a jerk, but Luna puckered her lips.

“It’s fine. Goodnight, Nyx Ulric.”

He hesitated and then lightly waved at her. “’Night, Lady Lunafreya...” 

Luna closed the door behind her and sighed. Her heart was somehow beating on a different pace, slower yet faster. That interaction had flustered her. She suddenly remembered something and gasped, turning back to open the door again.

She found Nyx there, ready to knock.

“Oh!” They said simultaneously and laughed. 

“You first.” Luna gestured at him, calmly easing away from the embarrassment. Not one of their valiant moments to share.

“No, it’s just that I was wondering…” Nyx began, stuttering a bit, “If you never had a hamburger before, you probably never had a beer either, right? Maybe …?” He trailed off as he pointed at the exit. 

Luna wide opened her eyes, very surprised but also pleased by the offer. “Yes, I’d love to. Well, it’s late but I slept until 6 PM and… I hope you will stop me before i get drunk though, otherwise you would be so…”

“Fired?”

“Yes, sort of. Discharged would be a more polite term.”

Nyx couldn’t believe she was actually accepting his invite.

“I’ll take the risk.” He was already biting his lip so hard it would have start bleeding very soon. “So, Princess,” he began, releasing his lip, “Shall we…?” 

“Nyx, wait, there’s something I wanted to ask you before.” He stopped and waited for her to talk. She looked so serious now, it was difficult to guess what she was about to say. 

Luna took a deep breath and then took out from her pocket a little chain, insignificant if it wasn’t the Ring of the Lucii in it. Nyx stared at it like it was a corpse or a death sentence.

“What is that suppose to mean?” he mumbled, surprised and confused. Actually, he really had a funny expression on his face right now.

“I was wondering… If you can help me in… bearing the weight of the future.”

Nyx froze and stared at her with wide eyes, not sure if what he was hearing was true.“Excuse me?”

“Last night, when I woke up the Archaean… I thought that if something happened to me, then who would have bring the ring to Noctis? Or what if I simply couldn’t have the strength to fulfill my destiny? I … I need someone to help me in this. Even though it may not be necessary, I need to know there’s someone helping me in my time of need.”

She held the necklace to him, but Nyx stopped her by holding her hand in his.

“No, I can’t do it. The power of this ring confuses me too much… You told me about the Old Wall. About the Kings of Lucis. They… watched Insomnia burn and did nothing! They were no kings! And I’m so mad about it. I can’t be objective. You should be the one holding the ring.”

“You’re right, the power of the ring is something beyond your control. But here’s the truth, it’s something beyond my control as well. In any case, it is our only hope. If Noctis doesn’t receive it, all our efforts… all our sacrifices will be vain. That’s the reason why you must help me. If I won’t be able to fulfill my destiny, please tell me you’ll be by my side, ending what I can’t.”

“If you can’t, nobody can.” Nyx really meant it. He was so genuinely convinced that she was the only one up for the task, he simply never doubted it. He never thought she would ask him something like that, because in his mind he already pictured her like almighty and unstoppable. But then a thought crossed his mind: he was expecting from her too much, exactly like the ill people who he used to deplore some days before in Lestallum. He swallowed. “And even if someone else could, that wouldn’t be me. It should be someone you trust.”

Luna’s eyes were almost wet when she admitted, “That’s why I am asking you.”

Nyx stared at that beautiful face, so different from the smiling one he saw just a couple of minutes ago. His stomach burned and his throat turned dry.

“You were planning to ask me this all along or it’s something you came up with now?”

“I do not jest, Nyx. I really trust in you enough to ask something like this.”

“We just met a week ago. I don’t think that’s enough time to go around waving a promise ring.”

She thought about it and realized that was true. Yet, that short time was so intense, it felt like ages. “It doesn’t matter. I trusted you with my life and you didn’t fail me. I’m sure you never will either.”

Nyx was about to give up, Luna could tell by the wavering strength he was using holding her hand. He looked down at the ring, fearing it but also admiring it. “So much trust in a person who dared to take you to Kenny Crow for dinner and who offered to pay you all the beers you want just so you can relax.”

Luna smiled, taking it as a yes. She got closer, so she could gently put the little chain around his neck. Doing so, she ended up caressing his collar and got herself lost for a short while. “Thank you.” She whispered. 

“I…” Nyx said, closing his eyes and bit down on his lip. He grabbed her wrist and waited a second. “I don’t trust myself as you do, so please don’t give up. I’ll take the ring for a little while, but you should be the one to take it to the Prince. You can fulfill your destiny and you will.”

He looked at her and that was scary. Or better, Luna felt so terrified. His eyes were so deep and expressive, so intrusive and breathtaking, she barely knew how to react. She swallowed hard and stepped away, before she could do something nonsense. 

“Very well. We should have that beer now.”

Nyx nodded, adjusting the necklace on him. It was really heavy, in a lot of ways.

“Yeah, I need it more than ever.”

Nyx wished he never accepted the ring. Having it on the neck gave him goosebumps every time he thought about it and also made him feel more responsible and less reckless. Now he understood why Luna wanted to entrust it to someone else. 

He hid it under his t-shirt and left his motel room. The sun was shining through the corridor’s window as he knocked at the princess’s door, like their new daily routine included by now. “Milady? Are you up?” He heard a small noise, a grump and then her sleepy voice:

“…Kind of.”

Nyx smiled. “I’m going for some Ebony in the meantime. See you in five.” 

When he came back with the usual coffee and croissants, she was at least awake and dressed up. She let him in and they had their breakfast.

“The cream in the Ebony for Your Highness.” Nyx said, giving the largest cup to her. “I chose this size because I thought you would need it after how much you drank last night.”

“Hey, you talk like I got drunk.”

Nyx raised an eyebrow and sit back on his chair, smiling at her beyond his cup. “That you did.” 

“No, I didn’t” she replied, pointing at him with the finger. “I was just a bit tipsy.” 

Nyx decided to let her win this time, even though he remained firm with his opinion. “Okay, enjoy your breakfast now because we’re not gonna stop until we arrive to our destination.”

“Can I change my clothes there?”

“If you insist in using that uncomfortable but fancy dress for your rituals, I guess we’ll have to. Titan liked it, didn’t he?”

Luna smacked him on the arm but didn’t change her mind about her Oracle outfit and was determined to use it whenever she could, even though she testified by now how much unpractical it was. That was her only request and Nyx couldn’t deny it. 

They left very soon for the Malacchi Hills, their destination. 

It was a beautiful day and they enjoyed every single breath of fresh air they got. They were both kind of thoughtful so they didn’t need to talk too much. They turned the music on and listened to it for almost all the time, only commenting from time to time their respective personal taste on the subject. It turned out they were both very elastic about music and didn’t mind to try new genres, so they kept switching from one radio station to the other in order to find find something they like. All of a sudden, they tuned into a radio conference which released the interview Luna conceded to Vyv a couple of days before:

“Thought I am still young, my blood is true. As my mother before me, I’ll work to bring peace to one and all. ...”

“That’s enough” Luna said, switching to another radio station.

“Why?” Nyx flatly complained. “The best part of your interview was coming.” Luna preferred to listen to a lame country song than crediting the Glaive of the compliment. Nyx glanced at her very quickly and then insisted, “You really did a great job in telling people what they want to hear.” Luna narrowed her eyes and waited, making Nyx smirk: “I mean, in giving people hope.”

“That’s an improvement.” She replied and then sighed to the distance, “I only hope Noctis will hear the interview and find encouragement in it …”

“Well, at least he’ll know you survived.” Nyx kept being distracted by her sad and thoughtful face. “Hey, you’re doing a great job in passing a good word or two to him, too.” 

Luna smiled, acknowledging the way Nyx managed to ease her concerns again. 

They parked the car near to a famous chocobo ranch and it took a lot of self-control for the both of them to not waste time with the adorable big birds. They had more important things to do and the night was too close to delay. 

Luna quickly changed her clothes in the bathroom of a caravan - with a lot of obvious eye-rolling coming from Nyx - and then they moved on foot. Luna didn’t know exactly where to go, she just knew Ramuh was close. Nyx followed her and made sure she didn’t trip in that ridiculous dress. He started to worry only when dusk settled in and the light of the twilight was barely visible in the forest they entered. 

“Your Highness, you sure this is the place? It feels like we’re gonna have some daemon-related problems here pretty soon.”

Luna didn’t say anything and kept walking, concentrate as she has never been. The humidity in the wood was so thick she started to perspire and breathed heavily. She was very weak already, but now the external conditions made it worse. She leaned down a tree log to catch her breath. 

“Are you all right?” Nyx asked, gently touching her back. Luna grabbed his collar and use it to stand up again. She nodded and stretched her hand into the distance, summoning a trident. Nyx whistled and opened his mouth in wonder. “What’s that?”

“The Trident of the Oracle. It belonged to the ancestors of the Fleuret family, a weapon bestowed by the Draconian.” Then she smiled: “But now, it’s going to be our torch in warding off daemons.”

“Awesome, that’s my Oracle. Your ancestors would be proud of you!” Nyx commented and smirked, helping her walking. They arrived to a puddle, shining of silver and white under the light of the trident.

“This is the place.” Luna whispered, stepping away from Nyx and slowly entering in the small lake. Nyx reluctantly let her go.

“Be careful.” She nodded but then stopped and turned around to watch him in the eyes.

“Nyx, you have the ring, right?”

Nyx pulled out the necklace and showed it to the princess.

“Good. Please, whatever it may come now, don’t interfere. And if something bad happens to me–”

“Not going to happen!” 

“No, you must allow it. I’m ready to take whatever it will be, and so should you.”

“Why are you even talking like that? Is speaking with a God that dangerous? They should be the protectors of the world, not cause more pain!” Nyx objected, opening his arms in a gesture of frustration.

Luna didn’t have an answer to that so she repeated herself again, “Whatever comes to pass, don’t interfere. If a stranger interrupts the ritual, the God may decide to not give his blessing to Noctis and we can’t have that.” 

She didn’t wait for an answer this time and slowly slide into the water, which was cold and transparent. The trident began to glow even more, reaching the shining level of a sun. The white and soft material of Luna’s dress floated in the water like the tail of a siren, which would have been an appropriate description of her in that specific moment, since she was indeed intriguing like a siren, beautiful, yet powerful. And like a mythological maiden of the water, she started to sing. 

Nyx stood in the distance ready to enter in action, but even from there he could hear the beautiful harmony which that song inspired. Maybe it was a prayer or maybe it was the inverse result of a lullaby, he couldn’t tell. It was probably an enchantment. Still, he would have listened to her voice forever. Forgetting all the anxiety he just had talking with her, he couldn’t do anything else now, but close his eyes and relax. He let the song overwhelm him with its emotional melody. Luna’s voice became soon all he could think about, the most beautiful voice he would have ever been allowed to hear. 

Then, something happened. Nyx was a hundred percent positive that the night sky was clear yet suddenly bolts stroke out of nowhere and the frightening sound of thunderstorms filled the air with its terrible noise. This confused him and also made him rush towards Lunafreya, because something weird was happening in the spot she was standing: small lighting poles surrounded her, and even if it didn’t look like she was suffering, the sight of her illuminated by them was preoccupying. 

Yet, in the moment Nyx started to run, he realized he couldn’t ever reach her because the bolts were systematically forming a barrier between him and her. He punched the shining wall and roared:

“Princess!” That unexpected situation turned out to be even more frustrating than his lack of magic. Luna was basically alone in the front of an unpredictable God now and he couldn’t have help her in case of need, rendering him to feel useless. “Lunafreya!”

Luna wasn’t listening. She kept singing her melody, raising the trident towards the source of the lighting bolts. It started to rain hard, so much that it was hard to breathe. Dark clouds gathered in the night sky and finally a huge human figure appeared. It had the appearance of a old man with a long white beard and the wise witty eyes. His robe was long and made of bolts and he carried a scepter in his hand. From all Luna could tell, Ramuh looked pissed in the beginning but as she continued to sing, he relaxed a bit, too. He took her in his giant hand to look her closer and then started to speak in an incomprehensible language. Luna sang her answer back and since Ramuh fell under the spell of Luna’s voice, the alliance was sealed very fast. The Oracle’s song was his most sensible weakness from yore. Luna learn that from her mother, so she could use that information now, without any fear to being rejected. While she held herself to the huge fingers which surrounded her, she already felt the cost of that alliance, the consuming burden that would have left her exhausted in the end. She inhaled a deep breath, grasping for air like she was trying to survive in spite of every odd. She closed her eyes, feeling the pouring rain covering every inch of her skin, leaving her soaking wet. She felt cold. It was so cold now. 

Ramuh said something else and then gently put her down in the puddle, like he was dealing with an injured little bird. He downed the barrier which prevent Nyx from running in her help and the Glaive immediately took advantage of it and stomped in the small lake, refusing to let his water-soaked trousers weigh him down. “Princess!”

Ramuh looked at him and nodded, understanding that leaving the precious Oracle in his care was for the best. As Nyx took Luna in his arms, Ramuh moved away, slowly disappearing in the clouds. Yet, the storm didn’t stop and it wouldn’t have for days, as sign of his quick blessing for Noctis.

“Princess?”

Luna had fainted already, she couldn’t hear Nyx’s voice anymore. She was still holding the trident in her hand but her arms fell limp on the water, her beautiful song had ceased and so did her white magic. 

Around them, suddenly there was calm, interrupted only by the regular noise of the pouring rain. Nyx was breathing heavily, agitated by Luna’s unexpected fainting spell. He hold her with one strong arm, while with the other he searched for every little sign of life on her face. He caressed her forehead and her cheek with urgency and then rested his thumb on her pale lips. Pale, too pale. “Please, Princess, tell me you’re still alive.” 

His expression showed a deep anguish, which sucked away every hope in two only seconds. He felt so stupid for letting her go alone in that mess, and even though he mentally knew he wouldn’t be able to do anything anyway, he just felt guilty. 

He got even closer, resting his forehead on hers, almost hoping to sacrifice his breath to give it to her.

A selfless wish like that wasn’t necessary. Lunafreya gaspedbefore fainting again, her chest rose and fell with a vengeance. It was a horrible sight, but at least meant she was still alive. Nyx sighed in relief and caressed her lips more gently, to brush away the dirt. While he was moving away a lock of hair from her cheek, he swallowed hard, frowning. Looking at her now didn’t seem alike the day before. She was just as beautiful, that's for sure, but now she almost died for the chance to speak to a divinity and since Nyx couldn’t figure how could this even happen, he didn’t feel calm at all. On the contrary, he felt so scared, realizing he didn’t want to lose her. Yet, that he risked. 

“Lunafreya…” Her name escaped from his lips in that moment of tension and Luna responded to it not waking up but grabbing the Ring of the Lucii on his necklace, like it was a lifebelt. Nyx nodded and pulled her closer. “Okay… Okay, Princess, hold on tight, I’ll take you somewhere warm and dry. You’ll be fine.” He lifted her up, putting upon himself all her weight. She wasn’t that heavy actually. “You are all flesh and bone, girl, remind me to feed you more carbs.” He murmured, knowing of not being heard. He looked around, feeling the rain slipping underneath his clothes, and closed his eyes.

The Glaive lifted his face to the sky, enjoying for a brief moment the sound of the storm in the distance. The adrenaline started to fading only now that the princess was breathing in his arms, but that didn’t help him to feel better. He wouldn’t have until he knew what was going on in reality. “Yeah, but I guess I’ll have to wait for that, right?” He asked, turning his face to watch her. Her expression was softer now, like she was simply sleeping after another long day.

Nyx smiled, but his smile was sad.

[bespectacled-girl-blog]

Flying Away: Chapter 8

Word count: 2512

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 

Yay, new chapter! I hope you won’t be bored with this one, I felt like there wasn’t much happening but it is necessary. More angst coming in the next chapter, and maybe some fluff if I can stop my hands from writing too long chapters XD Taggin @chocobrodreamteam, @cupnoodle-queen, @blindbae, @atarostarling, @nifwrites, @stunninglyignis, @lupanaoflaminar

Gladio had taken Lyne on a tour of the town. She had been in awe at the view of the meteor when they parked the Regalia the day before, and she was eager to play the tourist. They were crossing the street to get to the outlook where the view promised to be the most beautiful, when something caught Lyne’s eye. A white truck, with the words ‘Cup Noodles’ written everywhere. The font, logo, label, everything was the same. She stopped in her tracks, unable to avert her gaze from the familiar vehicle.

“Wanna try some really good food?” came Gladio’s deep voice.

“No, it’s not… I mean, I love Cup Noodles, but… How come you have these in Eos? We have them as well where I’m from!”

Now that she came to think of it, there were many similarities between their worlds. Cars, smartphones, even though they weren’t exactly the same. Video games, technology in general. And the language. How come they had that in common too? Was it possible that she and her mother were not the first to travel from one world to the other? And if so, did that mean that once she had to leave Eos, there would be a way for her to come back?

Leaving these thoughts in the back of her mind, she promised herself to ask her father when they met again. She turned to Gladio, who had a puzzled look on his face, not understanding what was bugging her.

“Sorry, don’t mind me. I was just surprised. But if you want to eat Cup Noodles later, that’s fine, I like it.”

He gave her a broad smile, and took her arm to lead her to the outlook.

***

They’d had a wonderful time that day. Gladio had taken Lyne to a cute restaurant, where they’d shared delicious cuisine (though not half as delicious as what Ignis usually prepared) and had a nice chat. Gladio was fun, and now that she knew him better Lyne couldn’t recall how she had found him frightening in the first place. He could be serious when talking about books, or about his mission as the King’s shield, and suddenly turn into the best joke teller, making her cheeks hurt from laughing. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed that hard.

He was walking Lyne back to the Leville, where she shared a room with Iris, Gladio’s younger sister. At that moment, life felt right. She had friends, she was helpful to others, her life had meaning. And she had found her father. No need to think about how all this would be taken from her eventually, right now she was happy.

“Thanks Gladio, I had an incredible time today.” she said to the big guy, a smile on her lips.

“My pleasure. We should do that again.” he replied, putting a hand around her shoulders.

A movement caught her eye then. She couldn’t be sure, but she thought she saw someone with dark blonde hair and spectacles disappear round a corner, walking briskly.

***

They’d spent a whole day in a mine, looking for one of Noctis’ Royal Arms. After having successfully defeated the monster lurking in the tunnels, they’d found a ghost bow that had belonged to one of the prince’s ancestors. Now they were back in the open, and night had fallen, so they decided to rest at a haven. Prompto and Noctis were setting up the tent, and Ignis was igniting the stove. Lyne was about to ask him if he needed help, when a big hand fell on her shoulder.

“Hey Lyne, wanna help me fetch some wood for the fire?”

“Sure!” she answered, turning to follow Gladio.

Something made her turn back just a second. Ignis was pinching the bridge of his nose, eyes closed. She almost went to him, but then Gladio’s booming voice came from some distance.

“You coming or what?”

They were collecting branches, or rather, Gladio was doing it on his own, with Lyne standing next to him, arms crossed on her chest, feeling pretty useless.

“What did you bring me here for? You look like you can do that very well by yourself.”

“It’s dark already, and I wouldn’t mind having a little help if a daemon decides to come and play.”

“Oh yeah, of course, hadn’t thought of that.”

Keeping an eye around, she paced, thinking.

“Gladio?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you know if everything’s fine with Ignis? He seems… upset.”

The big guy stopped what he was doing to look at her, frowning.

“Of course everything’s fine with Iggy, why would anything be wrong? You’re just meeting the real him now that he’s accustomed to your presence, is all.” The unkind remark, along with the aggressive tone he’d used, surprised her. Maybe it was her raised eyebrows that made him add, chuckling:

“Although I think he may have lost a bet some days ago, so he may just be a sore loser, for all I know.”

Back at camp, while Gladio busied himself over the fire, Lyne went to Ignis, to offer him help and see if she could make him come over whatever was upsetting him. She was met with a polite, but sharp “No, I thank you Lyne but that won’t be necessary” to which she found no answer, and after that she found she had no appetite.

“Okay I’m off to bed. Night guys.”

She said that more to Prompto and Noctis, than to the other two, who were glaring at each other. Once she was in her bed, she heard only the sound of forks hitting plates and an occasional “Hey guys, everything all right? You look sullen all of a sudden” from Prompto, met by a growl from Gladio, which marked the end of conversation for the day.

Trying to cut off the sounds of the annoying lot outside, she closed her eyes, and started breathing slowly and deeply. Meditation had often helped her to sleep, although this time her goal was different. The moment she felt her mind drift off, she grasped her chance.

“Dad? Ramuh? Are you there?”

“There’s a clever girl, finding out how to reach me without me even needing to tell her, I’m proud of you.”

She hadn’t even jumped at her father’s powerful voice.

She could see him, although not so clearly as the other time. Only her mind had reached the astral plane, and it made everything seem blurry. She tried to focus, not wanting to lose the connection. He was floating near her, looking his true self, magical staff, robes and all, but at the same time he looked like he was her size.

“I needed to ask you a question.”

“Ask away my child, and I will answer to the best of my ability”. He wore the same kind smile he had the first time, although now it was his real face. She couldn’t explain why, but it was as unsettling as it felt right.

“I noticed that some things are similar in Eos and in my world. And others are perfectly identical, like the language, and a kind of food I saw the other day, which are called Cup Noodles. It’s the same thing, logo, font, label. How is it possible? Do you think some people travelled from one world to the other before I did?”

Ramuh looked puzzled, and she had a feeling that he was not used to that.

“I have never heard of such a thing before, but it is possible that some humans were able to visit other worlds, whether on their own, or with the help of magic. I cannot give you an answer now, but I promise you to look into it.” “Okay, thanks.” She was disappointed, but tried not to show it. “Another thing: by any chance, would you be able to read every human’s mind?”

“Only those who are linked to us. Why?”

“Oh that’s not really important. It’s just that two of my friends have been acting weird for some days now, and it would really help if I knew what was happening in their heads.” “Well I hope you will sort it out soon. Now, I can see your mind is passing to the world of slumber. Have a good night, child.”

“Good night dad.”

“Good night dad.”

Ignis stopped moving. He wasn’t sure he’d heard correctly at first, but then he realised Lyne was already asleep. She was dreaming of her family. She must be missing them so much, having spent three weeks in Eos without being able to contact them or let them know she was all right.

The others were not going to bed anytime soon, so he took the opportunity to watch the young woman sleeping. She looked peaceful, all the worries of the day erased from her pretty face. Her plump lips were slightly parted, and he had to resist the urge to kiss them. Why did he want to kiss her anyway? He had been stupid enough to let Gladio win the right to court her, and he couldn’t back out now, not after what he’d told him. But at the same time, he knew what he’d said was right. They didn’t have time for such petty things as love, with such an important mission to accomplish. So why did he feel so distraught and angry each time Gladio started flirting with her? They had been friends for many years now, and Gladio’s way of acting with women had never bothered him before. If anything, he’d found it amusing to see how quick he grew bored and remained constantly on the prowl. He had never felt the urge to punch him as much as he did now. Why couldn’t he put that behind him, start seeing Lyne merely as one of his companions, and push onward like he’d always done? Let’s be frank: he knew she was going to fall for Gladio, sooner or later. They all did. There was nothing he could do about that, so he’d better deal with the news as best he could. But rejecting her help like he’d done tonight, although it had been for his own protection, was not going to help. She wouldn’t understand, and seeing her upset would only increase his distress. Besides, if Gladio liked her half as much as he said, he would probably be mad at him for upsetting his girlfriend. No, the best course was to act as if everything was fine. He could certainly do that, right? That was the first lesson his uncle had given him when he had started his training as a royal advisor. Never show your weaknesses.

And whatever happened, he would be here for her when Gladio broke her heart.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine, I know how to fend for myself now.”

“You sure you don’t want to travel with us? I could always ask Iris to go with Talcott, Monica and Dustin, you know.”

“For the hundredth time Gladio, yes, I’m sure! Now go, the others are waiting. I’ll see you in Caem.”

Lyne was still not sure whether she was going to be fine on her own, but right now, she needed time alone to think.

She watched as the car was leaving Lestallum, her sole friends in this world drifting away. A moment before getting in the Regalia, Ignis had looked like he was going to walk to her, but then his gaze had shifted to Gladio and he had taken his place in the driver’s seat.

She didn’t know what was the problem with the strategist. Maybe she’d done or said something offending, and he wanted to have nothing to do with her anymore? Or maybe that thing she’d thought there was between them was just a figment of her imagination. In any case, she was fed up with his behaviour. She’d tried to chat with him, he only gave her short answers and jumped on the first pretext to end the interaction. She’d tried to help him with cooking, but he was so tense when she was around, that he’d burnt diner several times until she gave up. The only moments when he acted normal around her, was in battles. He protected her when needed, and sometimes when their eyes met in the midst of danger, she became sure, for a millisecond at least, that he cared for her. But it wasn’t him who came to her after victory. It wasn’t Ignis who cheered her up when she thought she’d screwed up in battle. It wasn’t Ignis who sat by her side at camp. Even though Gladio was the nicest guy she could imagine, she couldn’t help feeling miserable, and she didn’t know what she’d done to deserve it. So she’d decided that in her new life she was having no more of that kind of treatment, and taken her leave, at least for a few days. She would be with the guys soon enough.

She’d told Monica and Dustin to leave without her, that she had something she needed to do and that she’d catch a lift with someone later. They’d reluctantly accepted, but not after muttering about the orders they’d been given to protect her at all costs.

“And who has so little faith in me as to give such an order to you?” she’d felt compelled to ask.

“Basically everyone, but most of all, it was Mr Scientia, the king’s advisor.” Monica had replied.

Wow. What a surprise. So he refused to approach her, but he wanted to keep her safe. That made her even more angry with him.

Once she was alone in Lestallum, she spent the evening in one of the bars she’d been to with the guys. That was something she’d never done before, when she was someone else. But right now, in this new world, she was the daughter of a god, and nothing could prevent her from being free and happy. Nothing but some turquoise eyes which wouldn’t meet hers…

Pushing that thought from her mind, Lyne spent a good time in the bar, chatting with strangers and drinking just enough to feel numbed to the throbbing pain in her heart. One man tried to hit on her, but she turned him down, and that was her signal to make her way back to her hotel room.

She was walking in one of the small streets of Lestallum, revelling in the night’s fresh air, when she heard some footsteps behind her. At first she thought nothing of it, but after a time she started to have a bad feeling. She turned several times, but still the footsteps were behind her. Now she was sure of it: someone was following her, and they were probably not friendly. When she found herself in a dead end, she knew she had to act. Hiding behind a pile of boxes, she waited for her pursuer. Although she knew she could defend herself, she couldn’t help feeling terrified. So much for Ignis wanting to keep her safe at all costs!