Chapter 8: Lingering Effects - WRU
Summary
For the Goddess is dead and someone must take her place.
Notes
Memories of 169 years - I
Something was off. Noel had perched himself on the edge of the stone platform, dipping his foot into the water. Hope hadn't come to see him and he had no way to tell how long he spent waiting for him. He stuck his foot deeper and sighed. When he had last left, Hope had disappeared for a while before he came back to unceremoniously shove him into the water. His voice had sounded strange as he was sent off. If Hope did that again Noel was going to drag him down with him.
Noel perked up upon hearing the sound of footsteps on stone. He turned to see Hope walking towards him at a brisk pace, starlit cape trailing behind him.
'Wasn't sure if you were angry or not.' Noel said.
'You, Noel Kreiss are wasting the effort and sacrifice Serah, Yeul and the endless others, have made. This world was born anew so you could have the luxury of choice. Your frequent disregard is beginning to tire my patience.'
If Hope never acted oddly, Noel was sure this would come as a surprise. This however was new. He had been on the sharp spoken side of Hope before. In particular every time he and Serah decided to take a risk or on the off chance he did something reckless. Depending on the year, they had to be careful not to do anything deemed risky, or reckless near Academia scientists and general employees, as Hope had sent out a request to keep an eye out for them. Hope had understood whys but still scolded the both of them.
'What happened to 'I could do this all day?' Noel bit back.
'He is far too soft on you. I could very well force your existence to cease. You will have no more reincarnations, no more- '
'Then, who knows what will happen to this place.'
Noel knew he was acting smug but he knew if anything Hope truly didn't want him to disappear forever. Even if he was far too stubborn to admit that.
Hope placed a hand on top of his head, fingers threading through his hair.
Unnaturally Bright green eyes narrow, 'You are a nuisance.'
'You know, for some reason I really don't believe you.'
He felt Hope freeze and for a brief moment he wondered if he was a duplicate.
Noel sat still, resisting the urge to move.
'I can do it. I should do it.' Hope said frowning, looking off, somewhere past him.
Noel couldn't help the grin pulling at his lips.
'Then why don't you?'
'Why...'
Luminous green eyes bore into his. If Noel had to be honest it was creepy how much he wasn't blinking.
'You have a mere percentage of the strength, of the sheer audacity she once had.' Hope continued.
'You are not stronger than me, you cannot hold any power over me. This realm is mine to control.
Then why…' Hope trailed off.
Noel didn't want to pity him. Not after all what he had done. There were no real Gods here, not in this place. He reached out and pulled on the hand by his side, it happened easily with no resistance. Noel tugged the hand off his head intertwining it in his own.
'Don't think about logical reasons, you're not going to find any answers there. Though I'm sure you already knew that. Think about what you feel.' Noel said, fist tapping his chest twice.
Patience was something his grandmother and Caius always tried to teach him. Be patient or you will that hole you're trying to sew up will not last. Be patient otherwise you may lose your prey. Have patience or you can be insensitive to someone else's feelings. He could vouch for having done that too many times. Even to someone who everyone thought was a bit too similar to him.
He should take a leaf from Serah's book.
'What is it you want to do? The idea of ruling together is… not entirely absurd.'
The idea of Bhunivelze warming up to him was.
'This realm is timeless but that doesn't mean there isn't a yesterday or a tomorrow. Something that happened a while ago, you'd still call it a memory, wouldn't you?' Noel nudged him on.
'So, all the time we spent surely meant something?'
Noel laughed. 'Yeah, it did. It does.'
'I remember everything. I cannot forget. I know you are unsuitable to stay here.'
Every visit always came down to this.
'Do you really think about that all the time?' Noel said exasperated, pulling his hands away.
Hope cocked his head to the side, eyes unblinking.
'If it is your desire, your wish to stay here, you could.' He smiled, lips stretching wide.
Undeterred by Noel's mild aversion he carried on.
'The Chaos sings to you. It calls you to the end, the Last Hunter. You could become strong. Be free to roam wherever you wish. Wield power far greater than those you once knew. Perhaps close enough to become a God.'
Noel stood up, backing close to edge of the platform. He questioned if this was how Lightning felt and made a mental note to ask her. Wasn't Bhunivelze the one who wanted to purge the world of Chaos?
'You don't want that, not really. I just want to be by your side.' Noel gestures, 'wherever that is.'
'But I do. Noel Kreiss, I remember everything, what I see, do, hear, thoughts and feelings included. I too desire it. You are a worthy candidate.'
Even it was true it didn't feel entirely right. Hope's feelings were being mixed in with Bhunivelze's. It didn't make them any less genuine but it was unsettling to see them act as they did. Noel knew how conflicted Hope was about him wishing to stay.
Noel wasn't sure if he felt the air surrounding him becoming warmer or if it was his own body. There was no rush of adrenaline just a shift, a change in atmosphere. He should feel unnerved, the idea of Bhunivelze having such desires should be absurd. It wasn't. Noel had seen it before, he recalled the conversations he had with Lightning and Vanille. Though he wasn't sure if it was because the god has spent such a long time in Hope's body.
Hope's hand stretched out towards him, a precise movement, fingers slightly curled inwards.
'Stay.' He said.
Noel swallowed. A command, an order, or a request?
His own hand twitched by his side. It would be easy, this is what he had always wished.
'You can live in a dream, Noel. You're happy here and could be forever.'
Noel gasped, heart thundering in his chest.
'This isn't the same. Don't talk like Serah.'
'Wishes are dreams, aren't they? In a way Caius was almost impressive, trapping Serah in a world made of wishes.' Hope's eyes glistened.
He felt sick.
Noel thought he could see the rocky land past Hope begin to shift. The world turning greyer, the figure in front of him more blinding.
Hope was strangely patient. His voice lacked any bite and Noel was beginning to wonder if it was Hope speaking to him. He would have to ask, somehow remember what happened. He had heard the story, their story told hundreds of times but he was no god. The small details, they were important. Or he could think about it later, in place with no time.
For once from another lifetime, Noel thought he needed more time.
There was no one he could ask if he was making the right choice. No gates to give second chances and undo what has been done. No looking for a different angle.
He did know he couldn't do it alone.
Noel slid his hand into Hope's, accepting the warm grip. He watched his wide smile dissipate as he stepped off the platform, leaning backwards.
Pulling him along, he whispered in his ear.
'Maybe next time.'
Submerged in the sea, he cupped his hand around Hope's cheek for a moment. Another time Noel would recall the story to Hope, tell how he looked so shocked, how he wondered if that was how Bhunivelze looked when he succumbed to defeat.
Sinking, he recalled his own words he said to Serah.
'All dreams have to end sometime.'
End Notes
I've already made an oath.
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