Entethina Haven

Nyx and Eve stopped their journey to the Chocobo Post to camp for the night. Eve wasn't thrilled to sleep outdoors, but it was safer for them to stay unseen than bunk in a cozy hotel. Besides there weren't many rooms available in the middle of nowhere after passing Hammerhead.

Night in the desert was pitch dark and it was getting colder by the minute. Eve lit her bodylight and went to search for firewood nearby while Nyx was setting up the tent and cooking-ware. By the time she got back, he had already finished with the tent and was about begin preparing a supper for them. It would be a simple pack of ready-made food with some meat and vegetables in sauce. One would just need to put the pack over fire to heat it up.

Eve glanced at Nyx unpacking the food supplies and her eyes glided over their small campsite.

"Wait. Where's the other tent?" she asked horrified and dropped the firewood she was carrying to the ground. Her eyes went in panic from the tent to Nyx and back.

"What other tent?" Nyx asked amused and poured drinks for them.

"I'm not sleeping with you in there," Eve stated and crossed her arms.

"Does that mean I get the tent and you sleep outside?" Nyx asked making a hopeful tone in his voice.

Eve's eyes narrowed.

"There will be an invisible line that you shall not cross inside that tent, Nyx Ulric." She noticed her heart beating fast and looked away from the innocent smirk. 'Gods help me for I am truly cursed,' Eve prayed in her mind and made herself busy with setting the fire up.

They ate mostly in silence, both stealing glances when the other one was looking away. Eve was thinking frantically whether she should change into something more comfortable for sleeping or just go with the uniform. Nyx was thinking something along the same lines and cleared his throat.

"You know, we shouldn't use the uniforms anymore tomorrow. We'll be out of Leide," he said.

"Right," Eve nodded and stood up having finished her plate, "I'll go change so… I would threaten you with violence in case you try to peek, but that already goes without saying."

Nyx chuckled and gave her a teasing smile.

"Duly noted. I won't mind if you want to take a peek later though," he joked.

Eve rolled her eyes and disappeared into the tent. Her pulse was through the roof already and they still had a long, dark and cold desert night ahead – A night beside the warmth of Nyx, his scent filling her nostrils and all his breaths and sleepy grunts echoing in her ears. It would truly be a long time until dawn for Eve feared sleeping would be somewhat impossible.

"Done soon? I'll extinguish the fire for the night," Nyx said from outside interrupting Eve's thoughts.

"But it'll be cold," she protested.

"Sure, but we don't want the Niffs here to keep us warm."

Eve sighed and put her hoodie on. Nyx was right of course with the recent increase in Imperial activities. They would have to be careful not to catch any unwanted attention.

With the campfire gone their only source of light was a small lantern inside the tent. Nyx entered the tent and without any demure took off his uniform jacket and shirt.

'Whoa that sight will keep me warm at night.' Eve was baffled by Nyx's lack of prudence. She hastily looked away and crawled in her sleeping bag.

"Sleep tight," Nyx said.

"You too." Eve turned to look over her shoulder at Nyx who switched off the lantern.

Eve wasn't actually surprised to discover her inability to sleep at all. She turned from side to side and listened to Nyx's steady breathing and for any suspicious sounds coming from the outside.

'That sounds like a sabertusk pack. Did Nyx wake up? No, he is snoring again. What was that noise? Should I go to look? But it is pitch dark outside.' Eve's mind was in overdrive. She stifled a scream when Nyx suddenly rolled on his stomach in his sleep. She stared at his face in the dark trying to distinguish his features.

'Why is he like that? He has practically ruined joining the Kingsglaive squad for me. And I don't even mind.'

Remembering their night together flushed her body in a heat wave and her heart fluttered. 'Why am I so nervous around him?' Truthfully Eve knew the answer for that but didn't even want to think about.

'Get a grip Eve. Focus on the job.'

Somehow Eve had forced herself to sleep and the following morning was as bright and hot as the day before.

"What'd you dream about?" Nyx asked casually when they were packing up the camp supplies after quick breakfast.

Eve didn't give it a second thought about before answering: "Don't really remember. Why?"

"You were moaning in your sleep," Nyx laughed.

Eve dropped the bag she had just picked up and her face was steadily getting blushed with shame. She was desperately thinking of an explanation for Nyx, but couldn't come up with anything before he made his own conclusions.

"I guess that sweet blush is my answer then." His eyes glinted in mischief.

Eve marched past the grinning Nyx, carrying their bags to the car. The male glaive hurried after her with the rest of their belongings. He opened his mouth, but Eve cut him short before he could talk.

"Don't say another word, Nyx."

"I was just going to ask if you wanted to drive."


Blessing of the King

"Let me have an audience with the king," Eve pleaded from her stone-faced father after a training session. She had devoted all of her pastime to become a better fighter, just so she could impress Cor into seeing that she really had what it took to survive as a soldier.

"So you can pledge yourself in his service? I won't lose you, Eve," Cor said with furrowed brows. He plunged his sword into the grass. He had lost count on how many times Eve had already asked this of him.

"You won't lose me, I promise. You have trained me so well; I can take care of myself out there. I want to fight the Empire," Eve asserted, unable to hold back the excitement from her voice.

From what Cor had seen Eve learn so far in few short years, he didn't doubt at all that she couldn't handle herself in a fair fight. However, Eve didn't have any experience from outside the training room. Her ability to fight to survive or to kill was questionable. Cor was afraid that she was harboring some kind of romantic image of the front lines. She could not see what the reality was to fight not only for your own life, but to save others as well. After all, the essence of being a soldier was to fight so that others didn't have to, and to be ready to give your life so others wouldn't need to. Eve could not possibly understand the horrors of seeing your comrades fall under the enemy's attacks – The terrible feeling of being unable to act, even when you could have done something to help.

Cor could not fathom Eve's fiery motivation. All he could see was that she had decided something and would go through solid stone to achieve that. That was exactly the same as he had been in his own youth.

'There has to be a way to realize this that won't get her hurt. Maybe I could get her a position with the Crownsguard?' But Cor knew that Eve would never accept that. She was being maddeningly stubborn about her decision. 'This is like looking at the mirror and seeing my young self in it.'

In his heart, Cor knew he was going to eventually lose or be ignored in this argument, and that he could only influence on the amount of damage the disputing did to their relationship. He could lose his daughter either way and that thought was more daunting than having to face the Blademaster again.

Eve was staring intensely at Cor's thoughtful face. He let out a long sigh. Eve's heart jumped.

"I shall talk with the king, but I won't promise anything more," Cor said at last, both hoping and fearing that king Regis would turn Eve's offer to serve down.

"Thank you!" Eve leaped to hug him.

"But know this, Evelia. I cannot support your decision in good conscience and I hope more than anything else that King Regis sends you home empty handed," Cor said, "And, I have a condition."

"Just one?" Eve asked letting go of her father. She could have guessed that this was coming.

"You're going to finish your studies."

Eve's face went sour, but she nodded: "Fine. Who knows, I might need calculus while bashing Niff MTs' heads in."

Cor resisted the urge to scold her for making light of the subject, but he let it slide. He didn't wish to be in the receiving end of Eve's scorn anymore.

Three days later, Eve was more nervous than she had ever been in her life as she was walking down the aisle to the throne room. She had visited the Citadel occasionally, but only the parts from where the Crownsguard operated. Her footsteps echoed from the walls, making them sound like a hulking garula's instead of a teenager's.

"Eve Leonis?" one of the two guards posted at the throne room doors asked.

"Y-yes, I am."

The guard pushed the door open.

The throne room of the Citadel was revealed before Eve whose mouth opened in awe. Long stands circled high on both sides of the room, offering seats beside the king for the Council of Insomnia. The actual throne was at the end of a set of stairs which had a platform in the middle of them. Golden statues rose up to the high ceiling behind it.

King Regis Lucis Caelum was sitting on his throne, eyes peeled towards the entrance.

Eve was relieved to see Cor standing on the platform in the middle of the stairs. There was also another man next to the throne, exchanging quiet words with the king. Eve had not seen him before. He wore the Kingsglaive armor, but with a red coat.

'Why is there a Kingsglaive soldier here..?' Eve wondered in her mind. She walked in the grand room with careful steps, not wanting to fall down because her legs felt like iron bars from the nervousness. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs and bowed like she had been taught to.

"Your Majesty," Eve said forcing her voice steady.

"Ah, young Evelia Leonis. A pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard a great deal about you from your father," King Regis said with an encouraging smile. He looked surprisingly… warm. There was a curious light in his eyes as they washed over Eve. His stare made her even more nervous.

"T-thank you, Your Majesty," Eve said stuttering lightly before she could get a grip on herself again.

"So– what brings you to me today?" Regis asked. He stood up from the throne and began walking down the stairs.

Eve took a sideways glance at Cor and straightened her posture. She inhaled before speaking.

"I wish to join the Kingsglaive, Your Majesty." Her voice was steady and calm.

The king's pacing paused for half a second.

"Hmm. That is a bold request," Regis said and studied the young woman in front of him as he walked. He halted on the midlevel platform next to Cor.

Eve was relieved that the king had at least taken her words seriously and not dismissed her straight away, which was exactly the opposite of what Cor had hoped for.

"She does have an affinity to magic," Regis said looking at Eve preoccupied. Cor's shoulders slumped a little.

"What is your opinion on this, captain?" the king asked, turning to the man standing immovably next to the throne and wearing a thoughtful expression.

'Captain? As in the captain of the Kingsglaive?' Eve's nervousness had already started to settle by Regis's calming smile, but hearing that the captain of the Kingsglaive was present, her pulse shot up again.

"She is young. That is both an issue and an opportunity, Your Majesty," the captain said.

"Yes, you're right," Regis agreed and turned to Cor who was wearing an unreadable expression, "I believe you have an opinion on this matter, commander?"

Cor glanced at Eve before speaking.

"I would prefer if she focused on school for the time being, but we agreed that she will complete her studies in any case."

There were a number of things Cor could have said to persuade the king into denying Eve's request, so she was grateful to him for having chosen words which would not to compromise her wishes. She stared at the kings feet, occasionally glancing at his considering expression.

Regis thought about the alternatives at present. The Kingsglaive needed desperately more soldiers. They were constantly looking out for individuals with the ability to wield magic and the will to fight the Empire. Rarely these two traits combined in same individuals.

Regis saw the opportunity in the bonds the families of Caelum and Leonis shared. He would have been a fool not to take advantage of it. The same as he had Clarus Amicitia as his Shield and Cor Leonis as his commander for the Crownsguard, Noctis could have Gladiolus and Eve at his back. Cor too had started his military career at a young age and at the age of fifteen, Eve was already older than him then.

However, Regis knew that his friend's heart was heavy with worry for his daughter. If Eve would prove to be even as half as dutiful and talented as Cor, it would be a waste to leave that potential unfulfilled. Her service to the crown could very well be as admirable and reliable as her father's had been for decades. King Regis could not in his right mind let that kind of asset go undiscovered.

"Very well," he said after a while, "I will grant you the gift of our crystal's power. Train well and use it wisely."

"Your M–" Cor began, but Regis silenced him with a motion of his hand.

"You shall watch over crown prince Noctis during your training as a glaive. He must not know he is being protected from the shadows. This should be most easily arranged if you switch to his class. I'll leave the details to the captain."

Eve could not believe her ears. 'I will be the prince's guardian while training?'

"Thank you, Your Majesty," she said breathily.

"You may go now," Regis said.

Eve bowed deeply and took her leave. Her head was spinning. It was really happening. She was to become a kingsglaive.

"Commander?" Regis called when the throne room door closed after Eve.

"Majesty?" Cor stood in form, looking bemused.

Regis put his hand on Cor's shoulder and had an inscrutable expression on his face.

"My friend, I will speak to you as a father to another. Protect her, but allow her to make her own decisions in life too. She is your only daughter, but by trying to hold on too tightly, you might only lose her."

Cor cast his eyes on the floor. "You are right of course, Your Majesty. But it feels as if I only just got her back," he said.

"Well, you need to decide how to best make up for the lost time," Regis said smiling.

"I will. Thank you, Your Majesty," Cor said firmly.

At the same time, Eve was leaving the Citadel entrance hall with only one thought circling in her head:

'I'm finally on the road to see to the destruction of Niflheim Empire or die trying.'

The next week Eve transferred schools. All of her spare time was consumed by either tactical or combat training. On top of that, she was taught how to watch after the crown prince inconspicuously. She had gotten a lengthy lecture from captain Drautos where he stated how he wasn't going to coddle or treat her differently because of her family name. Drautos would arrange people to teach Eve on how to use magic and continue her training, but she would still be reporting to Cor instead of the captain as per convenience. She also got a stern reminder on how she was not a glaive yet.

Despite her lacking in the use of magic and combat skills, Eve was expected to become otherwise full-fledged guardian for the prince in very short time. Luckily, her duty hours would happen only at school. She had to memorize the school building layout and over twenty different protocols for cases of emergencies. Eve even got a neat new Crownsguard special edition cellphone for contacting the right people for those cases.

In practice, Eve would just keep an eye on the prince during school hours. She was not to socialize with him unless truly necessary as he had no idea he was being watched over. It was the king's wish that his son could attend school under the illusion of being free from royal hindrances. Though the sentiment was kind, Eve later came to notice that this was not the case – everyone would still treat the prince with silk gloves and gawk at him as he passed by.

Eve would also have to introduce herself as someone else than "Leonis", since it was preferable that the prince wouldn't take any special interest in her being the Marshal's, as he called Cor, daughter.

Before the first day at her new junior high school, Eve had to meet with the prince's advisor, Ignis Scientia.

She had expected for him to be some old geezer who sat on the Council, but was baffled to meet with a sharp young man, who was actually even younger than her. Eve made the miscalculation of acting casually with Ignis, which sparked another lecture for her; this time about professionalism, though Ignis had answered in kind to her friendly manner of speaking. Ignis also stated very clearly that he had high expectations of Eve due to her family name.

On the first day at the new school, the teacher pulled Eve in front of the classroom to introduce herself. Her heartbeat was through the roof and she decided it was best if she would just try to ignore the prince. Having to stand before a full classroom was already making her nervous enough.

"Hi, I'm Eve. Nice to meet you all," Eve said shyly.

Her eyes travelled over the new faces, all gaping at her. She stopped in a pair of delicate blue eyes. Eve realized she was staring at the crown prince of Lucis and quickly averted her gaze, but the prince was quicker to look away.

'You'll have time to stare at him. Focus now,' Eve reminded herself and turned to the teacher who was telling the class how Eve had transferred to the school.

"Why don't you tell us a little something about yourself, Eve?" the teacher asked smiling.

"Uh," Eve staggered, her mind void of anything to say, "I like dogs?"

The whole class burst into a fit of heartfelt giggles. Eve just had to take a glace to see whether the prince was laughing too, but he wore only a small smile on his lips.

"Thank you, Eve. You may go sit," the teacher said and continued on to the day's lesson.

"Father, can I ask something work related?" Eve said slowly and moved the carrot pieces around her plate.

It felt weird saying aloud that she was working now. It hadn't been exactly what she had had in mind when she had wanted to join the Kingsglaive, but she couldn't complain as she was nonetheless being trained.

"Of course. What's on your mind? Is everything fine?" Cor said suddenly worried and moved his already finished plate to the side. He studied his daughter's eyes which shared the exact same color of blue as his, though slightly darker.

"Yeah, everything's fine. I was just wondering–, about something…" Eve didn't know how to exactly phrase her question.

"Yes?"

"Why is the prince always alone?" Eve uttered with furrowed brows, "I mean, he seems so lonely. Wouldn't everyone want to be his friend?"

Cor sighed. In the whole time Eve had been in Insomnia, she had not made a single friend of her own age. Now she was worried about the one person she should not try to befriend. It was somehow ironic and also a little sad.

Cor felt bad about his next words as he had to deliver them as the commander of the Crownsguard rather than a father.

"The life of a royalty is not as easy as it may seem, but eventually it comes down to his choice. I hope I don't need to remind you of your newly found duty? Neither the captain nor the king would look kindly upon using your trusted status inappropriately."

"I understand, father," Eve said curtly. 'Well the fewer people His Highness has around him, the fewer threats there are from my point of view, I guess.'