The soft sound of the door shutting finally stirred Nyxia out of what felt like had to be an eternal slumber. She was in a room foreign to her, but even at first glance, it was clearly a hotel room. Since she and the boys lived on the road, staying at hotels and rentable campers was a regular thing. Just like many other places they booked, this was very simple with its neutral walls and two, queen-sized beds. The sheets had a hideous, floral pattern on it, but at least the bed itself was comfortable.
The pillow felt extremely nice, too. She could just fall right back asleep, at least until the others came back...
Speaking of, where were the others? Even Rubia wasn't here, and she usually would sleep at her feet. She climbed out of bed, her entire body sore with every step she took. She felt as though she had been squashed like a bug underneath a mountain of rocks.
Then again, that was pretty much what happened, huh?
What she needed was a nice, hot shower to loosen her muscles. Her body was sweaty from sleeping under the covers, but otherwise, as she wasn't coated in dirt and blood, it looked like someone had at least bathed her once since the fall of The Cryotower.
While she was scrubbing her hair in conditioner, she heard the door to the hotel room open and shut again. They must have come back.
Soon, she was cleaned up; her hair was dried to the best of her capability, and she put on a fresh change of clothes. Nyxia favored mostly black in her attire - though red sometimes did get sneaked in there at times. The leather shorts were a little difficult to pull on with damp legs, but with a few shifts of her hips, she managed. She was pulling her second arm through the sleeve of her crop top before she would turn the doorknob.
She came out into the room, and to her surprise, Iris was standing by the writing desk, pulling out some food from a paper bag. It smelled delicious, even though Nyxia couldn't exactly figure out what it was. Iris looked absolutely ecstatic, and so did Rubia, for that matter. She was already sprinting away from Iris's feet and across the room.
"You're awake! Oh, the others will be so happy to hear you're up. We were really starting to worry."
"How long was I out for?"
Rubia chimed in, 'You've been asleep for three days, Nyxia.'
For a moment, she was silent. Once again, she slowed everyone down. What everyone must think of her now. "Nyxia, you saved my life. Thank you so, so much." Iris suddenly came up to her, throwing her arms around her in a tight hug.
"You're welcome, Iris." Although it was heartfelt, she was worried about the others, though the girl had already confirmed to her that they were alive. "Where did they run off to?"
"Well, they went to The Burrows. In fact, about an hour ago, Gladdy sent me a text that they got the gem."
Nyxia paused, partially surprised, but equally confused. "They got the gem?" she repeated. But how did they manage that so soon?
"They wouldn't have been able to find it without you. You were mumbling kind of in riddles while you were asleep, but it was like you knew exactly where it was." Somehow, Nyxia didn't remember any of this. She couldn't even recall dreaming, really. That wasn't entirely surprising, though. The Divinities led her where she needed, but perhaps since she was unable to follow, she instead transferred the message to those who could. "Here, eat this," Iris said, handing her a sealed bowl of flavored noodles. "You need to get your strength back. I'm going to send Prompto a message to let them know you're awake."
"Funny timing," Nyxia said thoughtfully as she sat down with the food. "I wonder if my coma had something to do with that gem."
"Who knows? Oh! Here's what it looks like." Iris showed her an image on the phone that had been sent by Prompto. It was a shuriken, but in its center was a small, black jewel. That was definitely it alright. No doubt. Getting their hands on it was one thing. Now it had to be brought back to her father.
After she got some food in her stomach (though it didn't taste nearly as good as it smelled), she and Rubia went outside to get some fresh air. It was a nice change from being cooped up in a hotel room for as long as she was. They walked side-by-side near the outdoor pool, and though the air was humid, it still felt genuinely nice. 'What happened back at the tower?' Rubia asked.
The question was odd to Nyxia, but she tried to reflect on it, herself. "Not much to talk about. I saved Iris from falling out of the window, and when they all got out, I did the only thing I could think to do to ward off the necromancers. That blast of energy took everything out of me."
'I know that.' The Carbuncle sat down at the poolside, tail waving elegantly behind her like a single flame. 'I mean, what was going on in your head when you put yourself in that situation? That isn't like you.'
Rubia was right. It was very unlike her. Nyxia didn't fully understand it, herself. Had she died, there would be no foreseeable future of the gem's destruction. She had made a foolish move in the act of trying to be a hero. The girl sat down beside her companion, and she took off her boots and socks before she would dip her feet into the cool water. "I just hate feeling like a burden," she said quietly. "I thought I was doing something useful for a change."
'Nyxia,' the small beast turned her face to the sorceress, and even in her face, disappointment could be recognized. 'Don't let Gladiolus's words get to you. You don't have to prove anything to him.'
For a few moments, she was quiet, and she brought her hair in front of her shoulder in a one, long lock to begin braiding it. That really was what it was all about, wasn't it? She had been trying to redeem herself in Gladio's eyes in hopes to not look like such a pathetic person. She hated the feeling of disappointing someone, even in cases where it didn't matter. It was just so much worse to be despised by someone who she was stuck with for long periods of time.
"I know," she eventually spoke up. "I guess I can't please everyone."
