Sorry for the constant updates. I just can't stand it when I see spelling or grammar errors!
As before I don't own any of the Final Fantasy characters nor SquarEnix! Enjoy reading! :D
Ch. 2 - Etro's Warning
This was the fifth time that an unknown adversary sent soldiers to try and take the Crystal from his possession. Many times before, he tried catching the last soldier, demanding that he tell him who was the enemy behind it all and why he wanted to take the Crystal. Unfortunately, he would get no answer since the soldier would take some kind of poison in a vial the moment he got caught. The soldier would die instantly, along with the answers the Crystal guardian sought.
Once again, Noctis Lucis Caelum, heir to the Caelum Kingdom, returned to his castle, frustrated. As he sat on his throne, he pondered why these armies kept coming against him. Was it a test to see if he had any weaknesses? A small smirk appeared on his lips as he thought it was preposterous to even think so. He was given the gift, or rather, a curse, from the Goddess, Etro. One he wishes he did not have since it came with a price; a shortened life-span.
The young Prince had no idea when he was going to die and it bothered him on many occassions. His thoughts quickly faded when he felt a strange vibration coming from the Crystal Chamber below the castle. Noctis immediately got up and suddenly, he was surrounded by light and heard a voice; one he knew very well, gentle and yet, commanding. It was the voice of Etro.
'Noctis,' said the Goddess. 'You were chosen by me to protect the Crystal that you now have in your care. I summoned you because there is a disturbance in the balance of this world and another.'
The Caelum heir kept his silence. Deep down, he felt that something was different; something unsettling.
'A portal,' the Goddess continued, 'has myteriously opened... a great evil has crossed from the world of Gaia into this world. These beings seek out the power of the Crystal to bring about chaos and destruction.'
'Who are the beings you speak of?' Noctis responded.
'There are two beings whose names you shall soon find out on your own. One is a gangly looking man with long, black hair and glasses and wears white clothing. He looks like a man of science. The other is a tall, broad man with red hair and green, snake-like eyes. He wears a red coat and black clothing. The sword he carries glows a fiery red when unsheathed. He is the one that seeks the power and the other man is helping him.'
Noctis is given the vision of the two men that Etro spoke of and tries to think of a reason that they may be the ones who have caused the recent attacks.
'What are you thinking?' Etro asked the future ruler.
'I'm trying to figure out if these men and the armies that have been attacking me, have some kind of link.' Noctis said.
'The army that you speak of comes from Niflheim. The young Princess in the Fleuret Kingdom is unaware that her army will be overrun by them. They will be led by the man who is seeking the Crystal. But not only that, he seeks to find the Princess and use her power to kill you.'
Noctis remembers very well when he met the beautiful Fleuretian Princess.
oOoOoOo
On the night of his 23rd birthday, there was a celebration held at the Scala Caeli Aquarium & Dining restaurant. Select Officials and Leaders from neighboring Kingdoms greeted and talked amongst each other regarding political discussions and ideals.
Noctis was not one to partake in such agonizing conversations as it bothered him more that it was one day closer until Etro called him to her. He quietly slipped away from the party and moved to a more secluded area. He went up the stairs leading to the second floor terrace of the restaurant that had a grand salt-water tank with various types of sea life inside nestled in between a marvelous, 360 degree view of his Kingdom. Suddenly, Noctis stopped in his tracks before he reached the top of the staircase. Someone else was on the terrace. He continued to approach slowly and what he saw, almost took the very breath right out of him.
There before him stood a beautiful woman, overlooking at the eloquent and elaborate painting of Etro. She wore a white dress that went just below her knees and white high heeled footing that made her legs all the more attractive. Silky, bolnde hair draped just past her shoulders and smooth creamy skin that shined against the night sky. He carefully walked behind her, never dropping his gaze at the beauty of this fair maiden. Knowing that he was watching her, the young woman turned to meet Noctis' gaze, returning a gentle smile.
He thoroughly remembers the conversation that took place between them about seeing the Light and the Goddess, Etro. Those very memories brought a small smile to his face and every night since then, he always thought of her even when they were enemies at one point...
oOoOoOo
'You must help the Princess. She's in grave danger, but she can also help you against the evil that is stirring,' Etro informed with a serious tone
'There will be others who will aid you as well,'
'Who are these "others"?' asked Noctis
'These others also come from the world where the two men came from. They have saved their world from total destruction many times before,' Etro explained. 'They have also been called and given very brief information through a dream of what will happen if all of you should fail. They will seek you out as you will seek them.'
'What do they look like?' Noctis asked again, determined to rescue the gentle sovereign and find these "others" that Etro referred to.
'The first is a young man with blue eyes and bright, blonde hair, angled in spikes and the second is a beautiful young woman with long sable hair and brown-crimson eyes. They will ride together on a monstrous black machine on wheels.'
'A motorcycle it sounds like,' Noctis chimes to himself.
'That's all I have for you,' Etro said, her voice slowly faltering. 'You must save this world, for if you don't everything that you have now... will be gone forever.'
Realizing that there was not a moment to lose, Noctis summoned his friend, Gladiolus to send a personal message from him to the Princess, warning her of the coming danger. He also tasked him to bring her to the castle using the underground chambers.
He then made his way down to the Crystal Chamber. Once inside, he approached one of the scientists.
"My Lord, Noctis," the man greeted and formally bowed.
"What's going on here?"
"The Crystal seems to be emanating some kind of energy. Readings are off the scale. I've never seen anything like this, your Majesty."
Noctis nods as he glances at the panicked scientist.
"The Crystal needs to be moved immediately to the lower sections. A highly dangerous threat is looming," Noctis demands. "Make sure the security level is set to maximum."
The scientist didn't bother to ask for any reason for the young leader's decision, "Right away, My Lord."
Noctis then made his way out of the chamber to talk to Ignis, since he's in charge of the communications section.
Ignis turned to see who came through the door and saw that it was Noctis and nodded at him, "What can I do for you, Noct?"
"I need you to expand the radar sensors to a 100 mile radius."
"Are we expecting another attack?"
"Something like that," Noctis replied leaving the details out. "I'll tell you more about it later."
"I'm on it," Ignis complied.
Noctis left the room to get to his Study and write the warning message to the Fleuretian Princess.
oOoOoOo
Sitting in front of her vanity, the beautiful and gentle Princess Stella Nox Fleuret, brushed her hair before she turned herself over for the night. Once she finished the task, she gracefully got up and moved to her balcony just beyond a tall set of Tenebrean crystal-encrusted doors. The art that was displayed in the crystal, depicted the forms of Muin, Buniberzei, Pulse, Lindzei and finally Etro. She knew the entire story as her mother would tell it to her every night. Once Stella stepped outside, her long silky, cream-colored nightgown blew along with the soft breeze that brought in a scent of wildflowers and jasmine.
She enjoyed nights like these but for some reason, she felt something was different in the air. It was too quiet and is was becoming uncomfortable. She immediately moved back into her room and locked the doors. But then suddenly, one of her hand maidens came bursting in.
"Lady Stella!" she cried
"What is it? Is there something wrong?" asked Stella as she tried to calm down the frantic hand maiden.
"One of the guards in the underground tunnels just received a note from the Caelum heir's friend," the maiden said.
"What did it say?"
"I don't know. I was told by the guard that it was for your eyes only."
Stella knew that her personal guards never leaked any information coming from the Caelum Kingdom to any of the members in the Tenebrean Army. She then took the note from her hand maiden gently and opened it.
'My Lady Stella,' it started off.
"Noctis," she gasped. She continued reading.
'Forgive me for my being abrupt about this. It is imperative that you leave your Kingdom at once. Use the tunnel through the catacombs, as Gladiolus did, to deliver this note. I'm sure you remember how to get there from past times,'
Stella did remember the last time she used the tunnel. It was during the time when both their Kingdoms were are war with each other. At that time, she managed to find the tunnel while trying to kill Noctis so that Tenebrae would become the sole power in the land. She ended up losing the battle with him and all that reminded her of their fight was a nasty scar that started from her mid right side under her breast, down to the left side of her hip. In turn, she left him a scar as well that lead from his right shoulder to the middle of his back. But while fighting him on several fronts and even after the peace treaty was signed, she found the Prince extremely captivating in personality and alluring in appearance.
Bringing herself out of her thoughts, Stella continued reading his letter.
'I don't fully understand what Etro has told me, but once you get here, I will explain everything as best as I can. You are in danger, Stella. Please take a few things with you along with your Rapier. If you feel the need, bring your personal guards and your three hand maidens. Gladiolus and two other of my guards will be waiting for you to escort you to my castle. There's no time to lose! Please make haste... Noct'
Stella folded the letter closed. She couldn't believe what he was trying to say in words. She has to leave her Kingdom? Her people?
Both her and her hand maiden suddenly jumped in surprise as they heard a loud pounding on the door. The young maiden answered as one of Stella's personal guards rushed in and immediately bowed.
"My Lady! The Niflheim Army is marching against the Kingdom!" said the guard hysterically.
"What! That can't be!" inquired a shocked Stella
"I don't know what's happening or why, but we must get you out of here now!" the guard ordered as Stella asked him to wait a few mintues for her to change clothes and gather some things and her Rapier.
She also asked her hand maiden to fetch the other two and meet her in her room immediately with some of their provisions.
"Summon my other two guards as well and make sure they have what they need," Stella said, as she turned into the confident, young leader.
The guard bowed again and replied, "Yes, your Majesty,"
The guard left quickly, with task in order. Once the hand maidens and guards were present, Stella immediately made haste to the catacombs.
All seven of them were just a few yards away from the tunnel when suddenly, Stella heard noises from behind her and saw a faint light from torches, getting closer to them. Her guards pulled out their swords and shields to protect the Princess and her maidens. She told them that, even though they are highly trained, they were no match for the Niflheim Army. Everyone quickened their pace.
Finally, they made it to the tunnel entrance. Stella greeted Gladiolus and the two guards whom Noctis sent to retrieve the Princess and her party. Just as they were about to enter the tunnel, one of the Niflheim Army scouts found them.
"There they are! They're heading through the tunnel!" the scout yelled.
"Don't let them escape. I want the Princess alive. Kill the others!" said a man who moved forward and made himself known as the army started to from ranks behind him.
"Who are you!" demanded Stella as she readied herself for a fight.
"Hmm... I guess introductions should be made. I am Genesis. I come from another world and seek your audience, My Lady," he said as he made a sarcastic bow to the Princess. "I have a proposition to make for you, your Highness."
"And what is that?"
"If you do not come with me quietly, I will force my army that I've taken control of, to take you and kill all those you care for," threatened Genesis.
"Stella," whispered Gladiolus from behind her. "I have explosives rigged to collapse the tunnel. If we make a dash for it right now, I can remote detonate it."
"Alright. On my mark, we all make for the tunnel," she whispered back. Gladiolus nodded as well as everyone else.
"I'm sorry, Genesis, but I'm afraid I can't come with you, as I am needed elsewhere," Stella replied as she mockingly saluted him, farewell.
Genesis shook his head, "That's a shame, but it looks like I'm going to have to take you anyway."
And with a move of his hand, the army started to advance on the Princess.
"Now!" screamed Stella. Everyone turned and sprinted to the tunnel.
"Stop them! Don't let them reach the tunnel!" Genesis commanded, furiously.
As soon as everyone passed into the tunnel, Gladiolus pulled out a small device and yelled, "Keep running! We're almost there!"
A loud explosion reverberated in the air. Stella, her maidens and guards made it all the way through along with Gladiolus and the two guards. The entire tunnel collapsed from the blast, making sure that none of the Niflheim Army made it through.
Once inside, the Main Hall in Noctis' Castle, Stella was greeted by none other than Noctis himself.
"Lady Stella. I'm very relieved that you made it here unharmed," Noctis spoke as he courteously bowed to her.
Stella giggled at his formality, but she returned the greeting. It had been a while since they last met.
Noctis smiled back and said, "My servants will escort your maidens to their rooms and your guards will be posted in the Military Quarter. But first, you and I must talk alone. Please follow me."
Both Stella and Noctis made their way to his Study.
'She's even more beautiful than I remember. I wish I could hold her in my arms right now and never let her go,' thought Noctis.
Stella had her own thoughts, 'Even to this day he never ceases to make my heart beat so fast. I want to tell him how I truly feel but maybe, it's a bit too soon.'
oOoOoOo
Back on the other side of the collapsed tunnel, Genesis mused to himself, 'Hmm... smooth move, Princess. But I'll get you and the Crystal one way or another.'
"Lets move back to the Palace. I have other plans in motion," he ordered the army. Everyone filed out of the catacombs and back to the Fleuret Kingdom to make the next step.