[ Hope ya'll are enjoying still. Bit of action in this chapter but also quite a sad scene toward the end-spoiler alert! For those who haven't played the game yet. Don't forget to leave a review if you have time :) Always appreciate the feedback. ]
Nyx had risen early that morning, his mind was uneasy not allowing him any rest. Nightmares haunting him and not just of his sister now-of Insomnia, King Regis...Luna. Why did she continue to plague his mind? Talcott had mentioned her returning back to Tenebrae but was it true? Her face was well known surely the Empire would intercept her-it was unlike she could possibly blend in with the refugees. Her baring, clothing everything about her screamed royalty. Libertus was snoring heartily on the bed which should have been Nyx's. Oh well. Nyx needed something to occupy his mind now his body was healing, albeit slowly, he couldn't force it to mend any faster and lying on the flat of his back wouldn't help. He looked down to his hands in which he clutched the kukri blades, one per hand he held them loosely. One was polished and sharpened now-the other still baring the scars of Insomnia much like his flesh. Setting the polished blade aside he turned his attentions to the secondary blade. Lifting a cloth he wiped it over the steel prying shards of metal, dirt and glass embedded in the steel. Libertus snorted loudly, mumbling something in his comatose state, before rolling and settling again. Nyx forgot just how loud the grating nose was. He had half a mind to throw something and silence him altogether. Continuing to polish the blade he finally set the cloth aside and lifted a small wet stone beginning to grind the cracks out of the steel and shape the blade once again. The grey morning was rising, a damp and sorrowful looking day. There was the faint rumblings of thunder in the distance, snaps and cracks as forks of light sprinted eagerly downward to split the earth. Droplets of rain leaked through the shutters of the slated doors and yet...the temperature was still incredibly humid. Nyx was swift in his work, managing to bring his second dagger back to form in a matter of minutes. Libertus was still firmly in a slumber. Glancing down to his watch Nyx noted the time. 7:42 a.m. He needed to leave the hotel room for a bit and clear his head. The image of Luna was residing at the back of his mind at all times.
The night was warm, a faint humid breeze swept in from the east. The snap and bang of the fireworks ignited the Insomnia skyline that night. He stood, tucked away at the rear of the reception, stood to attention feet wide, arms folded behind his back, eyes on the King. Regis was currently engaged with Emperor Iedolas Aldercapt and from where he stood Nyx could feel the tension. The whole reception was cloaked in a feeling of...hesitance. He didn't like it.
"Hello."
The voice tore through his thoughts and he shot a glance over his shoulder to see the pale expression of the Princess gazing at him. Eyes large and bright, hair swept up away from her face just the faint tassels of her fringe draped across her brow. She stood hands clutched together in front of her-Nyx half expected her to be speaking to someone the other side of him. His only dealings with the Princess has been the car journey the previous day and not a word had been spoken.
"I'm afraid we were never properly introduced yesterday," She gave a small smile. Did she honestly wish to pretend to care about him? The question had thrown him-no member of higher standing ever spoke to him like he was a person. In all the people gathered at the reception she was in fact the first person to even approach him. She looked to him expectedly, awaiting an answer. What was he to say?
"'Fraid it's gonna have to wait your highness," Nyx gave a nod of his head, "I'm on guard duty." That would make her realize that a woman of her standing shouldn't be with a man of his rank. His attention returned to surveying.
A smile crossed her lips, "Then surely there's no safer place for me to be," her brow creased but the smile remained. Nyx gave a moment's pause before casting a look to her from the corner of his eye. Was she serious? He scoffed before returning attention to the reception that sprawled before them. Boy she was persistent but obviously the Princess could detect her presence was not unwelcome and continued none the less. The next question brought a small smile to the corner of his lips.
"May I ask your name?" She asked. The fireworks continued to snap into the sky, bottles of champagne proceeded to be poured, the musicians continues to play their magnificent melody from the far right of the rooftop.
"Uh..Nyx. Nyx Ulric."
Her smile widened now, eyes glimmering. Nyx attempted to keep his eye on the reception before him.
"There's something else I wish to ask you, Nyx Ulric. King Regis said he sent one of your order to come find me. I should like to offer my thanks in person. Where might I find this brave soldier?"
The wonders of the evening vanished into silence for Nyx as the words rolled off her tongue. Crowe. Those grey lifeless eyes staring blankly from behind her tousled hair, the paleness of her skin against the contrasting black bag her body had been sentenced to. His eyes dropped from the people littered across the rooftop and looked to the floor at his feet. His jaw tightened before he cast the Princess a quick look-although he wished to speak the words never left his lips. He contented himself to merely shake his head, his eyes drooping once again. Her eyes lost their sparkle and her face dropped an apologetic expression coating her face.
"Oh," she muttered, noting the expression of his face no doubt. "Oh I did not-I am so sorry."
"Don't be," Nyx's words were swift and, perhaps, sharper then intended. What had happened had happened and nothing could change it...Nyx just wished it had been him instead. The princesses eyes dropped and she silenced herself now. She looked wounded at the sharpness of his tone. He cursed inwardly-it hadn't been her fault. Reaching into the right hand pocket of his uniform jacket he produced the small hairpin that had once been in Crowe's possession. He extended his hand. "Here. She was carrying this."
The princess looked taken aback, she edged forward like a kitten approaching a wolf and reached out her hands taking the pin in her grasp.
"It was meant for you," Nyx nodded.
"For me?" She looked up, eyes wide.
"Keep it," Nyx urged, "She would've wanted you to have it." The princess watched him closely and gave a faint smile. A solemn smile.
"I will carry it with me always. Thank you."
This night was just full of surprises-now a member of royalty was thanking him. What was next?
That night seemed like a distant memory to him now. Setting the second blade on the table in front of him Nyx sat a moment in silence. He checked his watch once again. 7:44 a.m. Standing he snatched his coat and made for the room door jerking it open and stepping into the silent corridor hotel. Descending down the steps of the stairway Nyx produced the black gloves from his pocket and quickly coated his left hand first. The presence of another brought his attention upward and he noted the slim form of the girl-Iris. She was stood peering out the archway of the hotel front, watching the rain splatter down. By the looks she hadn't noticed him yet. Leaping down the last number of steps he crossed the lobby.
"Iris, right?"
The girl spun and looked up to him, her eyes were red and swollen from crying, the glistening tracks were still dampened her face.
"Oh!" She quickly rubbed at her face and feigned a smile. "Nyx! How are you feeling?"
The wall. Nyx recognized it. He had worn the same armour when his sister and mother had died. "Almost there," He reassured.
"That's great!" She was smiling but her eyes were welling with glistening tears again.
"Are you alright?"
"Of course." She lied just as another tear spilled down her cheek. The smile dropped now though and her attention turned to the floor at her feet. "Well...no actually. I..I miss my father."
Of course. How could Nyx have forgotten. The poor girl had escaped the city only a week ago she was bound to have some aches and scars but the worst would be the memories. They would never heal or be forgotten. "Your father..." Nyx muttered.
"He did his duty-I know that but...but-why? Why did the Empire have to kill him?"
They had killed many people. "Believe me I ask myself that question every day," Nyx moved past her and sat heavily on the front steps of the hotel-the awning above was keeping the rain at bay but at least he was in the air. Iris wondered after him and knelt beside him, playing with the hem of her skirt.
"Did you lose people too?"
"I...did. Years ago. When the Empire invaded Galahd my...mother and sister were killed in the attack."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Nyx shook his head-there was a pang of déjà vu floating in his mind now. "It's in the past now, but it never makes it easier."
Iris' expression dropped now, her eyes filled with gloom and sorrow. Strange to see a girl always so full of life and happiness in this way. "I just want to march..right up to those Niflheim's and..slap them silly for what they've done. I know my father would never have left the King's side...I just wish I had got to see him one last time."
Nyx understood the girl, he gave a faint nod of his head. "How did you get out of Insomnia?"
Brushing at her eyes again Iris sniffed a last time before looking up. "It was Jared who got us out of the city-he escorted a bunch of refugees out of the city after things started to get worse."
Jared. The old man with the cane who was often seen with Talcott. Nyx turned his attention out toward the rains once more. He watched the drizzling droplets smacking against the stone. Steam seemed to radiate off the floor as the water was quickly absorbed into the stone. Iris sat a long moment next to him and the pair watched the rain. Nyx could hear a faint familiar clatter through the streets. His eyes turned from the rain toward the alley to the left of the open square that lay before the hotel. His muscles grew rigid, he clenched his left fist encouraging the feeling in his fingers. There was a low humming noise-that was familiar also. Nyx scowled before rising off the step his eyes firmly fixed on the alleyway. Iris looked up to him.
"What is it?"
Nyx didn't answer. He knew exactly what-more so who it was. Niflheim. The hum of their drop ships, the clatter of the Magitek troopers armor. "Iris go back inside." Nyx said quietly. Her eyes grew larger then a rabbits. Her mouth opened to argue however she was silenced by Nyx. "Now. Wake Libertus tell him to stay hidden."
Quickly Iris unfolded herself off the floor and bounded into the hotel and up the stairs quicker than a deer. The clanking was growing closer-there were heated voices, shouts and demands being roared. A stout man clad in the Niflheim armor of a general appeared at the forefront of a group of Magitek soldiers. His hair was dark, eyes to match and a expression that would seem a bad smell had travelled up his nose large beak like nose. He barked a number of orders to the soldiers following him. Four peeled off and began hammering on the doors of the homes. Nyx reached his hand to the small of his back where the kukri dagger rested happily. The man barked another number of orders-Nyx knew the man's face. He had seen him before. His name? Caligo Ulldor. Calligo's eyes landed on Nyx. He stopped and stared.
"You..." Calligo hissed. Nyx poised himself. A frown flickered on the general's brow before he barked at a number of the troopers behind him. They stepped wide past him and began forward toward Nyx. He ducked low before spinning and leaping down the steps of the hotel. He didn't have his magic-he couldn't warp. Shit. He'd have to do things manually. Bullets chipped the stone. Calligo barked like a hungry dog wanting to claim a meal. Nyx ducked as the bullets rained forward, he skidded across the stone. Ripping the kukri free from the sheath on his thigh he launched forward leaping atop the first Magitek trooper. The metal being crumpled back just as Nyx buried the blade into its neck. Sparks flew upward. Bullets continued to chip forward. Nyx spun, spinning off the body below him and lurching toward the next-kicking out roughly sending one of the troopers spiralling back into a party of three others. His body ignited with adrenaline. The same feeling that enveloped him every time he launched into battle. The feeling of pure exhilaration. His blood flushed hot through his veins.
"Capture that Glaive!" Calligo barked. Nyx thrust another trooper to the floor close to Calligo. Spinning now he bolted into a small alley-the soldiers quick to follow. Glancing up he noted a sign hanging from one of the buildings-counting his strides he jumped high catching hold of the sign and heaving himself upward. Balancing carefully-even with bullets following him, he leapt across the open gap and onto an iron rail of a balcony. Scrambling over he kicked roughly at the windows crashing them open. Ducking inside he found himself in a silent bedroom. Dashing across the room he pulled the door open and found himself in a corridor. It must have been one of those buildings filled with nothing but bedrooms for those unable to afford their own property. A pair of troopers were stood outside another one of the doors. Nyx watched them a moment and they watched him. Pulling his second kukri free he spun it in his palm before hurling it forward. It plunged into the helm of soldier one. Bolting forward he used the wall as support and ran against it before leaping landing on the far side of the remaining soldier. Sweeping low he jerked the second kukri free before bringing both blades up in a X like motion across the troopers chest. He wouldn't allow it time to respond. There were sounds from the stairwell. Spinning he bolted finding the stairs blocked by troopers ascending to his level. Reaching up he grabbed the pipes against the ceiling and kicked out. Each soldier currently blocking the stairs was knocked back in a domino like effect. Dropping from the ceiling Nyx quickly descended the stairs avoiding the scrabbling troopers and fleeing through the rear building door. Not breaking his stride he noted many of the troopers dragging people from their homes, forcing their ways into properties and punishing those who resisted. Nyx took to action cutting down those he could but with more drop ships descending from the skies he would be vastly outnumbered. Fleeing down another street he paused when he saw the soldiers overturning the market place, setting fire to the stalls and their wares. Stall owners were wailing in horror as their livelihoods were destroyed. Nyx felt for them-he really did.
"Nyx!" The voice called over the turmoil. Spinning he looked around to see Iris, Talcott and Libertus forcing their way through the crowds. Libertus struggled along, Iris had tight hold of his hand and Talcott sprinting after.
"Libertus, Iris."
"This way Nyx," Iris called again before vanishing through a side alley. Nyx turned and kicked out at a last trooper before turning and bolting after them. Catching pace, he saw them vanished into a side door of one of the buildings. He quickly dashed in after them and threw the door closed behind him. Libertus quickly heaved a crate against it. Nyx stood a moment his heart racing and chest heaving. Now he could feel the aches and pains. "We have to hide you two," Iris pushed before turning and ascending a staircase to the second floor of the building pulling Talcott with her.
"I told you I saw the Niffs," Libertus chimed before following Iris.
"Never doubted you for a minute big guy," Nyx snorted bounding after. The four ascended to the third floor of the building and ducked into a quiet room to the left. Nyx ducked low behind the old unused bed and regulated his breaths. Libertus hobbled toward the window and peered down into the square. Iris was busy with the door and heaving a old chest of drawers against it. Though...her arms were not getting her far. Nyx lifted himself and turned crossing the room and aiding her. She gave a thankful smile and together they forced the chest against the door. Nyx stood tall now and slipped the blades away.
"You been causing trouble again?" Libertus cocked a brow.
"Only for those causing me trouble."
"They're looking for the prince," Iris spoke up now crossing the room toward the window and peering past the blinds. "They took Jared-he was from Insomnia so I thought it best to hide you two aswell," Iris nodded over her shoulder.
"I didn't mean it!" Talcott squeaked from the corner. Nyx had forgotten the boy was even there. He was downcast now, his eyes on the floor his hands hung limply at his sides.
"It's not your fault Talcott," Iris scolded.
"But it was me! I told them we were from Insomnia. They would have left us alone if I'd just shut up."
"Hey, don't worry about it," Nyx said smoothly drawing the boy's attention. Talcott looked to him. Nyx knew just how much the boy looked up to him-every time Nyx had encountered the boy he had been in awe. Why? Nyx wasn't sure but that being said perhaps a word from him might calm the boy? It was worth a shot. "Jared can look after himself."
Talcott shifted uncomfortably before sidling across the room nearer to Nyx. Iris cast Nyx a thankful look before turning back toward the window. Calligo was there, at the centre of the square. People lined the square, troopers monitoring them all as Calligo made his way down the lines barking questions and demanding answers. Nyx felt useless stuck in the room but reality convinced him that if he was out there now? He'd be captured and slaughtered no doubt. He was greatly outnumbered, had no magic and was out of breath after slaughtering just half a dozen troopers. Moving to the opposing side of the window he peered down into the square. With each person that became of no use to him Calligo had them dismissed. He must have asked every person in the city before finally coming to Jared. Jared was alone now. There was no one else aside him, the general and the troopers that guarded. With every question asked Jared refused to answer. In regards to the prince, his whereabouts and even about Nyx. This wasn't going to end pretty. Feeling something brush against his side Nyx cast a look down to see Talcott peering out the window with wide fearful eyes.
"They won't hurt him will they?"
Nyx remained silent. The frustration was growing on Calligo's face. His brow becoming redder with every defiance. Nyx's fingers curled around the kukri on his leg.
"You're making this incredibly hard for yourself," Calligo growled. Without warning the general swung a fist out striking Jared harshly across the jaw. Talcott cried out. Nyx grasped hold of the boy and pulled him close silencing him. Nyx noticed the eyes of one of the troopers look in their direction. He ducked behind the wall as did Iris and Libertus. Talcott was sobbing now against Nyx. He held the boy firm and peered around the corner of the window. Calligo had descended on Jared snatching his cane from him and toppling the man to the floor before berating and pummelling the man. The slaps and smacks filled the square, Jared's whimpers following. Talcott was fighting against Nyx his fists hitting at his shoulders.
"We have to stay quiet," Iris whispered from across the window looking to Talcott before putting a finger to her lips. Her eyes looked to Nyx who flickered his eyes to his blades. He would fight should she give the command however Iris shook her head. It was too risky. Iris' eyes began to tear up once again. Nyx shut his eyes attempting to close out the noises filling the square below. He had fought wars, watched men die and heard them scream but it didn't compare to this. The strong beating the weak. It grew silent and Jared could be heard struggling to breath, his breaths rasping and short. Talcott was visibly shaking in Nyx's arms, sobbing quietly, the blows from the child ceased now. He clutched tight to the boy refusing to release him. Nyx didn't want the boy to do something reckless. A sword was drawn and Nyx could hear it cut through the air before the all too familiar sound of flesh splitting sounded. Nyx opened his eyes. Iris had buried her face in Libertus' shoulder, Talcott wailed loudly. The sound of the boy's cries were muffled thankfully to a drop ship flying overhead.
"Clean up this mess. Let the people of Lestallum know this is now Empire territory." Calligo barked loudly, "If anyone asks it was self-defence. Find the Glaive. He's next."
