A/N- Heyo! Fair warning, this is going to be a lot darker than my other stories. I wanted to try writing something that I've been thinking about for awhile out. I'm really nervous about what kind of response it'll get, but either way I hope this is somewhat interesting, because it's something I'd really like to continue. Much appreciated!
Lucis Kingdom. Day and night, the city thrives. By day, herds of it citizens are seen enjoying themselves at bazaars, festivals and parades alike. Bountiful feasts are held, welcoming all. Every attendee is drunk on the pure ecstasy passed along from one to another. They dance, twirling along with the melody of the instruments. Children of all ages run amok in the streets with unfiltered bliss. The elders reminisce together, over what once was and now will never be again. The ones bound by marriage and the sacred rapture that is love walk hand in hand, perusing through the stalls and shops, whispering sweet nothings to their dears all the while. The adolescent youngsters readily flirt, beginning the affairs and puppy love that is sure to come; albeit some don red flushed faces as they do so. A sweet nostalgia of the old yet rich culture melds with the new coming age of technology, creating the satisfyingly unique atmosphere. As the sun kisses the horizon the children scurry home and into their comfy haven; but not before pleading their parents to check under the bed for any ghoulish beings. As soon as they are sound asleep the remainder of the population, the ones of valid age gather outdoors to admire the scenery. They hurry over to downtown Lucis where the street lights dim and the vibrant lanterns fill in the light that lacks. Jaunty music flows through the air once again as the inebriating brew is served to the participants. Though all of them keep in mind that drinking responsibly is a must, for penalties for foolish behavior under the influence are severe. Running late into the night the number of people begins to recede as they stumble their way home. Tomorrow would be the day of rest followed by five days of hard work and finally the happenings of tonight will take place again. This was how it was in Lucis. The economy blossomed, the people were content and the kingdom was perfectly balanced… At least it was to the ones who were unaware.
In the midst of the positives, come the negatives. On the outskirts of the kingdom lies Nihilsomno or better known as the "Sleepless". Here is where the unwanted, the alienated and the poor are subjected to. Here, crime runs rampant. Murder, robbery and narcotic usage is the only thing that flourishes. Instead of the peachy harmony that plays in the city, in Nihilsomno gunshots, cries and the gruesome silence are all the locals are privileged to hear. Walking into Nihilsomno is a death wish and leaving it alive, let alone with all of your limbs attached is a Godsend. If one truly desires to venture deeper into the murky darkness of this forsaken city they will discover an even more terrifying truth; a truth that even the royal family itself have tried to conceal, but have been unable to do so.
An underground syndicate was born in the heart of this broken city. The black market was created and erupted in only a few years. This little illegal commerce began with a gambling organization, and then branched into loan sharking. Further along this deviant road, the success led to a full blown drug ring. As if to ridicule the royal family even more so, the newest addition to these illegal trades was none other than arms dealing. This tyrant of a business had caught wind and had quickly become known worldwide, topping most if not all of the wanted lists. With the new found celebrity status this cartel had found a fitting name for them; Diabolus, meaning devil. The public had yet to know the true identity of the mastermind behind Diabolus and most prayed that they never would.
"P-p-please! I-I don't know anything! I swear!" A bloodied and bruised man sobbed in the wooden chair. His once brown hair turned black as the dark crimson fluid leaked out of the laceration on his head. His hands were bound painfully behind the back of the chair. He heaved as the very same red body fluid and saliva dripped from the corners of his mouth. His right eye was swollen shut while the other quivered to stay open as tears escaped. A woman with bronze skin and wild dark brown hair looked down at him, amused. She grinned, showing off her canines, her tongue gliding over them. Her left leg was lifted so that her foot settled between his legs, resting on the unoccupied surface. She leaned forward and raised the revolver that was clutched in her hand to the man's forehead.
"Really? Well I guess we're done with you then." His eyes widened in both fear and shock. Her thumb pulled back the hammer on the gun, cocking it.
"W-wait! T-Tom Brooks is the guy you're lookin' for! He was leaking information about our deals to the dogs on the east side of the city! I-I saw him meet up with them in their territory!"
"Oh? And why didn't you tell us that earlier?"
"B-because he said he'd split the profit with me! 50-50!"
"Hmmm, reaaaally?" The brunette looked over her shoulder to the woman behind her, gun still pressed firmly to the man's head. "So what do yah think sunshine? We got all the info we needed out of him. What should we do with this guy now?" The woman played with the pink tresses that fell over her left shoulder, twirling the locks around her fingers, bored. She gave her partner an unimpressed look before huffing and stepping forward. She circled the man like a wolf would a sheep.
"You know there are a lot of things that I don't like in this shitty world… and on top of that there are a lot of things that I don't tolerate. And what you did, falls into both of those categories of mine." She finished circling around the man and began heading towards the door. Placing her hand on the knob she didn't spare her partner or the man another glance. Twisting the knob and opening the door her voice was coated with indifference and her face equally so. "He's no use to us anymore; you know what to do Fang." Fang smirked.
"Aye, aye boss." With the booming bang of the firearm, the lead bullet buried itself into his brain, imploding it. He slumped in his seat as his lifeless head lulled back, mouth ajar.
"Rest in peace." Fang snorted and wiped the blood splatter off of her face with the back of her hand.
"Noctis." The dark haired prince grunted back at the call of his name. He was tired, the bags under his eyes was proof enough. Even his hair was more messy than usual. He and his friends have been scouring police files for days, trying to find any kind of clue that would lead to the Diabolus, but so far there was nothing.
"Noctis."
"What."
"The reconnaissance group that we sent to Nihilsomno is back."