Chapter Seven:
Elia, awake and alert, released a trembling breath held out her sword against his giant sword. Her grip on her blade relaxed, Oh…,"she murmured, half relieved that it was only him, "It's only you." Quicker than she could blink, he turned around.
She held out her sword for another second before sheathing it, she sighed with a weary smile closing her eyes. She placed a delicate hand on her heart pleased at its slow yet steady decline of pace.
Noctis was still staring at her when her sight returned, his hand empty. Her eyes caught the invisable object that hovered close to him undisturbed, "I guess…I should thank you…" he said after a quiet moment breaking her from her stare.
"Nah, you don't have to."
Noctis turned away in a haughty manner, "Fine. I won't."
Elia smiled, this time more of a forced one with lots more baring teeth, He's back to normal.
He suddenly frowned and turned back to face her, "You don't object?" he asked, his curiously leaking through his cold facade, "You saved my life and you….?" He paused glaring at her with the same frustration.
She tilted her head, "Hearing you talk is good enough for me." She replied honestly. Realizing the stupidity to her words, she glanced away feeling foolish as he remained silent, "You saved my life." She rushed on hurriedly, "Just repaying the favor."
He arched an eyebrow, "Oh…" he murmured quietly. They remained quiet for a few moments letting the silence settle.
She peeked at him staring at his face, surprisingly venerable. Her female senses began to be aware of him being shirtless making her flush. His smooth skin reflected some of the bathing sunlight that began to rise.
"Let's take a look at your wound, huh?" she inquired, hoping her voice wasn't trembling.
He shrugged sitting on the ground facing his body towards her. Elia knelt down trying to ignore his warm breath blowing against her neck. Gingerly, she pressed a hand against his skin were she remembered had been hurt; Noctis winced slightly.
Elia tilted her head alarmingly, "It still hurts?" she asked.
"Your hand is cold." He replied. His voice was so low and deep, it sounded almost… soft.
Pink painted into her cheeks, she smiled at herself, "Sorry." She apologized, as she began to pull away her necklace tipped over from beneath her shirt and hung over her corset.
His eyes flashed looking at her crystal pendent. Swiftly before she could turn, he swiped the necklace pulling her close to his barren chest examining at her pendent curiously. Elia breathed slowly, trying not to lean against him. Inside, her heart exploded wild feeling a certain shyness forcing herself to clear her mind in order to concentrate.
"Is…this yours?" he asked quietly eyeing it. His face was a frustrated mask, his heavy eyebrow knit into one inspecting it.
"Yes." Her answer only made his eyebrow perk higher.
Elia fumbled with her shirt each blush blending into the next. Her stomach twisted into a giant knot in her gut, she prayed not to pass out from all the emotions coursing through her. They sat in silence for minutes, she tried to remain calm and get rid of the fluttery feeling inside her stomach.
"Um…?" Beyond words she merely cleared her throat.
Noctis turned her crystal around, "Yes?" he inquired calmly still gazing at the crystal's glow.
She fidgeted, "Could you…let go of my necklace please?" she asked awkwardly.
He glanced at her; he raised an eyebrow wordless. He hesitated, but perhaps looking through Elia's eyes, released her along with her necklace. Elia clutched her pendent contently, she sighed feeling her body's coiled muscles relax. Noctis watched at her silently; she shifted uncomfortably under his gaze fighting to keep the blush from showing. When she knew the blush would not show, her head cocked up to meet his eyes, he looked away.
"Oh, I guess you want your shirt back then?" She questioned. Her hands grasped the nearby shirt, tossing it to him.
He caught it in a elegant move and slipped it back over him; Elia glimpsed his muscled back disappear beneath his shirt. She sighed leaning against a pillar watching him as he strapped his belt around his waist. Again, she succumbed to her feminine side simply watching and wanted to hold him much longer. Elia shrugged the feeling away disgusted suppressing an urge to gag. Even if she was a woman, she wouldn't do something that stupid. It was not the time to fall in love with someone, especially him. There was a war going on and lives surely to be taken because of it. She sighed clutching her arms tighter, the feeling she had with him, the butterflies. If she knew why she must not love now, why hadn't this strange feeling gone away yet? Her metallic blue eyes narrowed at Noctis, again the feeling fluttered. At least he was alright. The wound was healed and she found out that she could use magic. Her fingers twisted her small crystal in between her fingers. But now Noctis knew about the crystal. How many people would find out?! Elia eyed him flatly as he brushed towards the motorcycle stroking the handle. Somehow she felt distrustful of him, this man Noctis. Even thought they had saved each other's lives, he could easily have her captured along with her crystal. But there was nothing she could do to attack him. He was a warrior and could easily kill her. All she could do was wait and hope that he could understand her desire to protect a crystal not in possession of the royal family. A crystal that she had been guarding with her life.
"Andreas is probably recruiting some more troops," Noctis informed her breaking through her chain of thoughts, he swung out a black cell phone dialing quickly placing it to his ear, "which means time is not with us so it's best to get help from the council of five at the castle."
Elia stared dumbfounded, "The castle?" she asked, "But it's hard to get in now days because of the invasion!" Not too mention heavily well guarded. What were they to do: waltz right in?
Her wary thoughts drifted watching as his lips brushed together as he spoke into the cell phone, speaking too low for her to hear. He snapped it shut placing the phone in a pocket, "Trust me, getting in will be easier now. Relax." He replied, and so she did.
The motor roared to life, Elia smiled sadly and walked away waiting for the sound to fade in the distance. She would go and try and defend the remaining citizens from Andrea's wrath and send that man personally to hell. But she couldn't shake the feeling that she would miss Noctis. Saving a person's life when he did the same to you creates a bond of some sort. Now the cord would be severed and they'd be individuals once more.
"Aren't you coming?" his voice shattered her depressing thoughts.
His sudden question blew her off; she spun back. He sat on his bike waiting patiently unlike before, "What?"
"I said 'Are you coming?'" She was too surprised to be furious at his slow tone.
"Oh…I think so."
"Well then." His azure eyes gestured back towards the empty seat behind him.
In taking a deep breath and eying him a cautious glare, Elia mounted behind him careful not to touch him again in fear of the emotions new to her. They sped out into the breaking dawn and raced through the districts, her eyes soaked in the strange surroundings unknown to her. Tenebrae was beautiful at daybreak, the metal architecture practically glowing with light with its windows gleaming. Her metallic blue eyes gazed around the area pleased to see the morning. It had seemed so dark for her for a couple of days: the battle, Noctis and fighting for her own life but now she felt that soon everything would be alright. Or, she hoped anyways.
The thought of fighting brought up a question that she had disregarded, "How can you do that?" she asked him after tapping his shoulder quizzically.
He didn't move his head back keeping his eyes fixed on the road, "Do what?" The motorcycle lurched to a sharp left making her clutching his shoulders again. The feelings crawled back into her stomach.
"When you were fighting Andreas back there," Elia shouted over the loud wind hoping he could hear her, "You were teleported right behind him. How can you do that?"
Noctis didn't answer, and she was fearful that he wouldn't. He couldn't just leave her hanging on this?! She wrapped back a strand of her black hair behind her ear impatient.
"What?" she asked at his low voice that she could barely hear. Elia's dainty eyebrows narrowed, cursing the loud wind bitterly in her head, leaning close to his face in order to hear his question better, "What did you say?"
"I said," Noctis repeated, "I'm just…special."
Elia wrinkled her nose as she rolled her eyes at his reply angry how short it was.
"That's all you've got to say?" she said baffled, "You can teleport anywhere just because you special?!"
His blue eye rolled over to her narrowed as if spotting the annoying fly. He shook his head with a sigh that, she could hear, was deeply aggravated. She shoved herself away from his face and folded her arms unsatisfied glaring at the back of his head watching his ebony hair flick in the wind. He's hiding something, a voice in her mind sang making her mouth grit together so hard that it would have turned a stone to powder.
A looming shadow made Elia blink as in front of him a large building began to tower over them. It was dark somehow in the sun yet magnificent all the same. Its structure captivated her with a mysterious beauty that was unknown to her. Light shimmered from the pedestals; statues of two women seemed to hold out their hands to greet them. Knights with swords patrolled the main gates, Noctis sped on. They drew near the iron gate making the two glanced at their direction. Elia grabbed her crystal and hid in beneath her shirt, it was when she felt it's smooth surface pressing against her skin that she relaxed.
"Halt!"
Noctis shoulder's rose as if impatient yet reluctantly slowed the ride bringing it to an abrupt halt; Elia clutched to his garb trying not to knock into him. He didn't seem to mind. The men approached them quietly.
A guard held his weapon at an attention suddenly, "Oh, it's only you,—"
"Open the gate." Noctis interrupted coldly, "It's urgent."
The two noticed Elia, "What about the girl?" one of them asked curious nudging his spear at her. Eris cringed back from his spear point placing wary hand on her long sword.
"She's with me. Now open the gate."
He must have seen her ready-to-fight grip on her sword.
The patrollers inclined polite fully to him, "Of-of course." One of them stammered. The pair rushed towards the gate blocking their way. One of them pressed a button, "Open the gates. He's returned." He informed.
"Roger!" answered another voice in the speaker.
A click of a gate alerted her; Elia glanced at the iron bars. Slowly, the gate way parted giving enough room for them to ride through. The vehicle sped past the gates, her eyes flicked back to watch the gates close tightly behind them. She sighed. Great, more walls and rules. Elia gazed upwards as the giant castle loomed over them, frowning slightly. The speed died halting to a quirky stop; Noctis sighed mounting off, she jumped likewise following him. Her footsteps halted gazing around the place with suspicious eyes. There was no sign of any other life here.
Where was everyone? The men had to be working but where were the women? They couldn't still be sleeping? Or perhaps hiding like the frightened beings they are.
"Elia." She glanced up to see Noctis stand near the doorway. She stared at him, surprised that he had spoken her name for the first time. A pit in her stomach exploded with pleasure, and she hated it. But he didn't notice and only gestured his head towards the door, "This way." He said. She walked up the steps towards him, avoiding his heart stopping gaze. As she approached the door, Noctis held open the door for her, "Ladies first." He murmured, his tone courteous and soft.
Elia flashed her eyes from his and brushed past him not sure if he was teasing because of his cold façade. People were like books, some were easy to read but this guy was untranslatable! The sound of the door closing behind Noctis broke her from her mind to gaze around her surroundings. The ceiling loomed over them and the color of the place was lighter and more open she expected. The floor was made of fine marble with its only colors ranging from white, gray and black. Her steel-blue eyes flicked side to side gazing around the empty corridor. It was stylish, with the perfect contrast between light and dark. Ancient yet modern. Elia peeked behind her just to see Noctis keep up with her pace. Something was different about him now, something that lit his eyes. His once azure eyes were now shallow, locking so many things she couldn't see. He looked tired or bored like a person being at a place they've been too many times and got sick of it.
As if feeling her quick peek, he glanced down so quickly she jumped slightly, "You alright Elia?" Noctis asked curiously watching her, "You seem…quiet. Is something wrong?"
She fumbled embarrassed by his intense probing, "No…I'm just…enjoying the scenery." She replied gesturing her hand in the air. "And lost in my own thoughts."
His hand pressed against her forehead; her heart fluttered making bitterness sting because of it. "Your temperature is normal." He murmured. Noctis withdrew his palm slowly, "I guess you're fine." He said.
Why was he acting so…nice? Elia glanced at him. It was as if all of his rude comments seemed to have lessened or vanished. Why? Was it because she saved his life? Well, whatever attitude Noctis was doing, he better stop. His courtesy was kind of creeping her out. And it defiantly wasn't making the strange fluttering in her heart stop.
"Please don't say anything." said Elia placing a wary finger to her hidden gem as an important thought hit her. So important that she stopped moving forward and remained glue to the spot. Noctis, he knew that she had a crystal. After all the promises she made to keep it safe; could he spill her secret?
Noctis rotated his head confused by her sudden proposal, "Hm?"
Elia hesitated at his probing eyes, "Please tell no one of this." She clutched a part of her shirt feeling the crystal's chain and its weight safely hidden, "I must keep it safe. It's my duty to bear it and keep it away from other hands."
His face composed into a serious facade, "I will."
His promise allowed a kind of relief to flood over her. Trust. She trusted him. But why? He was so hard to read, quiet yet commanding. He had all rights to share the secret she held. But perhaps, she thought, that maybe it was the mysterious emotion that flickered in his eyes like blue fire that assured her. Elia sighed confused rubbing her head at the headache that began to occur. Man, this guy confused her!
Noctis moved to her as if concerned by her sudden action but abruptly his eyes narrowed alert, "Someone is coming." Noctis notified quickly withdrawing away from her. .
As soon as he spoke, a voice sounded from the corridors followed with quiet footsteps. Elia tilted her head curiously. An old man walked around the bend talking to himself, his hair and short trimmed beard was silver like metal and to her surprise was that his body was not at all frail but quite tough. His worried face expression lit with immeasurable calm noticing them. As the old man drew near; she noticed that the elder carried an air of respect.
His mouth opened letting out a gracious breath of relief, "Are you well, your —"
"Did you get what I requested, Myles?" Noctis asked, interrupting again much to Eris's displeasure.
The man named Myles nodded clearly not affected by the cut off as she was, "It was just finished by the time we heard of your arrival. Now, I understand why…" the old man's voice trailed off glancing momentarily at Elia, "But, it is finished." His gaze directed back to Noctis.
"And the council?"
"Summoned for." Myles informed pleasantly with a smug smile, his gray eyes left Noctis twinkling at her, "All is up and running." He didn't tear his eyes from her, who only stared back. Noctis sighed whether from relief she didn't know. Myles smiled at Elia, who smiled back giving him a polite bow of her head. It was courtesy to respect the elders, or that's what she had learned. This action pleased him making him look satisfied like a cat that had its cream, "And may I ask who this lovely young lady is?" he asked Noctis suspiciously.
Elia blushed at the word lovely but the feeling quickly vanished and frowned soaking in Myle's words startled, not by the question itself but how it was asked. It's like he needs permission! She thought.
"Her name is Elia," Noctis introduced nonchalantly not noticing or ignoring her glaring form, "and she wishes to help fight for the cause."
"I see…" Myles murmured thoughtfully.
"Would you please show Elia it?" Noctis inquired, "I need to speak to them about what's been happening recently."
Myles seemed delighted by the idea, "Of course your—"but Mr. Rude Man cleared his throat loudly interrupting Myles, who smiled. "Err, Ms. Elia, if you may please follow me." Myles said walking away.
Elia raised an eyebrow and took a step forward before a gloved hand landed on her shoulder stopping her pace. She adjusted her head and nearly jumped because Noctis's face was less of an inch close to hers, "I'll catch up with you later." He told her quietly.
Too lost for words, she only nodded. Her blue-gray eyes watched him as he strode away at the opposite direction until his dark form vanished around the corner. Elia growled at herself cursing the bubbling emotions and hurried rather quickly to Myle's side. What was with that guy? Interrupting the guards and the old man. He was hiding something but as she tried to piece the puzzle together she found it hard to figure out. They walked up stair ways and through silent corridors. Myles was a cheerful man, and very polite but didn't say much. He only ask a few questions of her old life and her weapon. But she could never stop smiling at his own smile that made her feel loved. He reminded her of how a grandpa would act to a niece or his daughter and Elia loved it. She couldn't remember that last time she has felt adored. As they walked she noticed the same emptiness again like it was outside. It was as if they were the only people living here. That puzzled her.
"Myles?" she asked quietly, "Well…may I call you that?"
"It is my name." he replied lightly giving her a husky chuckle, "Go on." He encouraged.
She smiled, unable to help herself, "So, Myles why are the corridors empty? It's like a ghost town of some sort."
"They're here but are rushing around now a days because of the war." He answered, his cheerful tone suddenly went grave. "Seems like everyone wants power now a days, Irritating really." He stopped at door, "But of course, he's doing everything in his power to protect this city. Great man, ever since the king died." He added twisting the doorknob. She merely nodded though unable what he was actually referring to.
The door pushed open, she gasped. Her footsteps were quiet against the smooth paneling beneath her as she gazed around. The giant windows were set with ebony black curtains that had a ivory white window seat in front as a lone chest sat locked near a small table with dark leather chairs. Not far was a white marble fireplace, already lit, was a bathroom nearly blink on the bright lighting. Moving towards another door, her mouth pursed trying to restrain some dignity when the door swung open. But she couldn't touched on how refined it and spacious it was. There was a large bed with a closet, lined with warm covers.
"It's very lovely." Elia told Myles pleasantly. She chuckled softly remembering her old bed: tough and worn out. Perhaps part of the rubble now, she figured. She'd probably need to go find a apartment even though she knew it could never be like this.
Myles chuckled amusingly, "Of course, this is your room after all."
Elia blinked dumbfounded as she swallowed the words in, "This is…my room?" she gasped.
He looked surprised by scratching his silver beard, "Of course. But I do understand it would have been rude to eavesdrop on a person's conversation. He told us it for the guest he was bringing."
She settled herself on a leather sofa suddenly feeling very tired suddenly, her heart pounding faster then usual, "Oh." She whispered, "That was very nice of him. I never thought I'd see this side of Noctis." He raised an eyebrow as she spoke his name with a weary breath.
"Neither could I but seeing the fact how the Prince was acting towards you a while ago made me change my mind."
Her heart stopped beating altogether, "Prince?!"
Holy Crap this was a long chapter!! *Rest in peace: my hands*
Please know Myles is mine whose name is from Miles (latin for soldier/knight) I thought you spelled Miles with a y sooo my bad! Hey, but its latin.
And who is the they Noctis is talking about?? If you're smart enough you don't need to guess but if you don't know....you'll just have to wait! LOL
Thanks for reading and keep on reading. And yes, we all wish that we could see Noctis shirtless! That was the funnest part to do, poor Elia to see a hottie like him half naked. HA! I'm so evil!
Next stop: Chapter Eight!! Ha ha ha!!
-Animangame02freak
PS. Noctis rules Tenebrae.
