"Didn't find your friend?" Aranea walked up the short ramp of her transport. "All right, I'll get you to Lestallum, come on."
The assistance of the Empire's mercenary, Aranea Highwind helped the prince's party retrieve the much needed mythril, and with Gladio off on a personal mission, Aranea's battle skill and support proved invaluable.
The offer of transport to Lestallum appealed to Ignis for the sake of expediency, but when Prompto reminded him of Ava's gear in the Regalia's trunk, the party agreed to seek her out before leaving. At first, Ava's absence had not concerned him, he'd grown used to her sudden disappearances over the years, but the discovery of her motorcycle hidden in the overgrowth next to the haven disturbed him enough to contact the Marshal.
l-l-l
"How long?" Cor gave no indication of concern as he asked his questions.
Ignis could give estimations rather than facts, Ava had not encroached on the party close enough for him to speak with any certainty. "Twelve hours, maybe more. The lady Avis is without her phone and her survival pack; I have them. I am . . . unsure if she may have tried to follow the Chancellor."
The silence that followed, while typical for the Marshal, troubled Ignis.
"Continue with your mission and leave Ava's gear with the desk clerk at the Leville, he'll secure it."
Feeling responsible for the situation, Ignis wanted to offer his help. "Marshal, a small detour-"
Through the phone, the Marshal managed to cut in, "You'll find Gladio in Lestallum; stick to the mission."
l-l-l
Even before the transport lifted into the air, Ignis had instructed the others not to mention anything of Ava's disappearance when Gladio joined them. "Until we hear from the Marshal, I believe it's best to wait."
Prompto disagreed. "I. . .I don't know, Iggy. The big guy is not gonna be happy when he finds out. I mean, I get I'm supposed to pretend I know nothing about Ava, Noct explained it, but are you sure?"
Explained in the simplest of terms Ignis revealed they knew little. "What we know and the truth could be very different, Prompto," Ignis explained. "We believe she followed us toward the grove, but none of us saw Ava arrive or leave. To imply that Ava is in danger is irresponsible, and pure conjecture and it is for these reasons discretion must be used."
At first Prompto nodded, but continued to question Ignis' decision. The challenge irritated what Ignis believed to be a sound plan. Seeing Aranea approach, Ignis ended the conversation. "The responsibility is mine," his curtness disappeared as she neared. "Aranea, allow me to say thank you for your help and the transport," Ignis said.
"Don't sweat it. Are you always this formal?"
"If the situation calls for it, yes," he replied, his thoughts more focused on the predicament of Ava's possible disappearance.
She chuckled shaking her head. "And if the situation calls for something . . . less formal?"
Prompto smacked Noctis' arm, whispering. "Check it out, Dude." At a quick glare from Ignis, the two moved closer to the Regalia.
"Apologies, you were saying?" Ignis realized a conversation built around him, and he owed Aranea his attention.
Giving direction to one of her men, Aranea turned and faced Ignis again. "I think I was asking if you know how to relax, Ignis."
A scoff from the rear of the transport and a quiet and yet sarcastic delivery of the word no, saw Aranea laugh again. "Seems the peanut gallery has your number," she said, "I think I'll wait before deciding for myself." Hearing the whispers and snickering, Aranea changed the subject. "This friend you left behind?"
Ignis had mentioned Ava before they departed. His instinct suggested Ava might have done something rash. "Ava. Ava Callidus, she is-"
Aranea held up her hand. "I get it, you two are-"
Surprise covered his expression. "Goodness, no. Please understand my hesitation centers on allegiances not personal affection. I am concerned Ava may have tried to follow the Empire on a whim and as you are still in the employ of the Empire, you understand my concern."
"Look. It's clear the Empire is taking a path I'd prefer to avoid; I'm not that kind of girl," she said. "As I mentioned earlier, I think it's time to rethink this arrangement." Aranea looked out the window. "As for your friend, for her sake—let's hope this is all a misunderstanding." Looking around at the concern on the faces of her passengers, Aranea nodded as if something had crystallized for her. "Let me guess, she's the one Ravus has been bitching about. Snuck in to a few locations pretending to be one of the tin cans, right? She really pissed him off, which probably isn't a good thing." Crossing her arms, she sighed. "All right. I'll hang around a little longer and put my guys on it, but no promises. Give me your phone," Aranea said holding out her hand.
"My phone?" With a tentative reach, Ignis pulled out his cell phone, unlocked the display and offered it to her.
"If we're going to talk again, you'll need my number." He watched as she typed information on the small screen. "You know, most guys might be flattered that I wanted to give them my number."
"Thank you?" Ignis said, looking at the display. "Nea? Rather informal wouldn't you. . .oh." Realizing her intentions might be more than communication surrounding Ava's situation, a slight tinge of pink rose on his neck. "Thank you, Nea."
She sighed again. "I get it. You're the old-fashioned type. That's kind of cute, in a way." She tapped the one guard on the shoulder and was handed a phone. "It's mine, and the Empire isn't aware of the number." She handed him the phone. "For this to work you'll have to share your number with me, Ignis, otherwise, it'll be a little rough to reach you."
Another round of snickering and laughter from the other two turning Aranea's attention to them. "Can it!" Ignis raised his eyebrow at her rebuke, and she added, "prince or not- on my ship, you behave, got it?"
Noctis and Prompto did not try to hide their grins at the exchange they witnessed, repeating her final words in unison. "Got it."
l-l-l
Checking his phone again, Gladio reminded himself he'd promised to give Ava space. Cor's words had shattered his rush after he'd beaten Gilgamesh. He'd succeeded in one endeavor only to fail Cor's test.
They'd arrived in Lestallum after sunset, Gladio surprised as the Marshal led him toward one bench in the observation area. "Have a seat."
"Why do I feel you're about to lecture me?" Gladio sat, unsure why the Marshal hung around; on the drive to Lestallum, he'd mentioned wanting to get back to Cape.
"That depends on you. If you have questions, now's the time. Once I leave, you're on your own, Gladio." Cor kept his focus out toward the Disc.
"Ava needs a clean break," Gladio said, leaning back. "These nightmares of hers are getting worse."
Cor stood, taking a few steps away, prompting Gladio to follow. "That's not a question and Ava is none of your concern."
Fists clenched, Gladio shifted to face Cor. "The hell she isn't!"
A slight shift of Cor's head showed a single raised brow. "If you've got something to say, please continue. I'm curious how one of my people matters to the King's Shield."
"Ava is . . .important to me." Gladio said, meeting the Marshal's challenge. "Noct asked her to consider helping him, and if she's not one hundred percent on point, I can't let her near him or anyone else," his voice trailed off with the rest of his words. "No matter how I feel."
"Spoken like the King's Shield." Cor straightened his jacket. "Are you prepared for what might follow?"
"Huh?"
The Marshal pressed his lips together, tension settling in his jaw. Inhaling, he waited before clarifying. "Lose the act, Gladiolus. We both know you're capable of complete thought. Are you prepared to push Ava away if she could lead Noctis into danger?"
Without bothering to temper his contempt, Gladio fired back, "I don't appreciate the insinuation. You know I will do whatever I must to protect Noctis, no matter who poses a threat." The need to keep defending his allegiance and dedication to the crown had reached a boiling point. "Big words coming from the man who left his king unguarded."
"I followed orders, and that's all I will share." A practiced voice shifted the conversation. "Tell me something, how far are you willing to go to see Noctis through?"
"I'll die before I let anything happen to him." Gladiolus knew his purpose; to be a Shield his life would be forfeit before the king's own.
Cor faced Gladio, his glare fixed. "What if Noctis stopped listening to you and ordered you to leave?"
Unprepared for the sudden shift in the conversation, Gladio couldn't answer the question, instead he tried to clarify. "Are you saying King Regis-"
Holding up his hand, Cor halted the conversation. "Regis' Shield never left his side, not once. Clarus pushed back even when ordered to stand down, he understood something I don't thing you do, Gladio. Being the Shield is more important than being his friend. Are you willing to sacrifice your friendship to do what is right?"
"You mean forgetting everything- Ava, the others and even myself-leaving only Noct." After years of blaming his father for his coldness toward him and Iris, Gladio understood. Clarus committed every part of himself to Regis and expected Gladio to do the same. If it came down to it, Gladio had to protect Noct even from those closest to him. "Damn. I get it," he answered, meeting Cor's discerning expression, "and yeah, even if it means ignoring everyone else."
Deliberate steps carried Cor away from Gladio. "Then forget about Ava. Let her go."
"What if she seeks me out-then what?" Catching up to the Marshal, he waited for a response.
"The only person who will determine Ava's path is Ava. The best you can hope for is that somewhere along the way, she invites you to join her and that it happens you can follow, as Clarus did with Althea."
At the mention of his mother, he hung back, realizing she must have understood what waited for her with his father. What weighed on him now had little to do with the conversation, but rather if he and Ava could ever look beyond their respective responsibilities and continue together.
Cor broke through Gladio's thoughts. "And Gladio— when that time comes? Don't be an ass."
l-l-l
"You're home."
Ava refused to accept the Chancellor's words as truth. Mac hated the Empire; what they did to his family and to so many others in Galahd, Mac served the line of Lucis to block the Empire's successes. The Kingsglaive Mac created to fight the Empire's Magitek with the strength of Lucis' magic and protect the royal family. Tapping her fingertips on her forehead she tried to think through what she'd heard and seen, ignoring the waves of emotions threatening to drown her. Sleep overtaking her once more; she rested on the metal cot.
l-l-l
The scream tore from her throat, hands clawing at an unknown foe; her thrashing waking Gladio from his rest. While her night terrors were rare, he knew better than to grab her; choosing his words with care. "I'm here, Ava."
Her eyes opened, pupils blown, panting through her fear. Without moving, Gladio remained still, letting her awareness sharpen; her eyes darting about the room. When her breathing slowed, recognition of his presence forced a slow exhale before hiding her face in her pillow. The concern in his eyes embarrassed her. These weren't nightmares, nor were these episodes dreams. Ava turned away, not meeting Gladio's eyes. Checking the time on the clock, Ava groaned realizing she'd likely been asleep only an hour.
"Do you know where you are?" Gladio's question, simple and direct meant to help, not mock.
"My apartment, it's Saturday and I'm keeping you awake," she said, shifting to face him. "I'll go read or something in the spare room so you can rest."
"Ava, stay," Gladio slid closer to her, reaching for her hand. "You can go sit in that room wrapped in a blanket or stay here with me," he grinned, "one human furnace, two arms and no waiting."
l-l-l
Unable to sleep, Ava's memories kept her company; almost all centering on Gladiolus. She couldn't think on Mac. Any thoughts of her father reminded her of the cold and silent man in Niflheim armor.
"Stop it," she said aloud, willing her thoughts to bend once more away from Mac, but fatigue had weakened her resolve, hearing his warm voice in her head. What does the little bird say, Ava?
Her breath caught as she stammered the reply to the empty room. "L-L-Let me f-f-fly," Ava couldn't say the rest, her sobbing stealing her voice.
"There she is!" Mac knelt in the open door, arms outstretched. "What does the little bird say, Ava?"
A six-year-old Ava ran down the stairs a squeal of joy escaping as she ran. Ignoring her mother's warning, Ava barreled toward her father, his smile and encouragement calling her to him. "Let me fly, Daddy!" Mac lifted Ava, twirling her around, until he slowed, allowing father and daughter a moment to huge.
"I missed you, Little Bird," Mac placed a gentle kiss on Ava's forehead. "You remember the Marshal, Ava?" Mac set Ava down on her feet as she nodded. "Do you want to say something?"
Thinking for a moment with eyes closed, her small fingers tapped her forehead as if the answer lay buried in her head. A sudden smile grew as she nodded once. "Hello Marshal," she started, looking up for her father's approval before continuing, "it is nice to see you again." She stopped. A double nod in the Marshal's direction reminded Ava to be more formal, and she quickly added what her father expected. "Sir."
A light chuckle from the man standing apart from the two gave a slight bow. "It is nice to see you again, Lady Avis."
Covering her smile, Ava tried not to laugh as her father rolled his eyes. "Cut it out, no titles. I don't want her buying into all that. Avis or Ava, all right?"
Leading Ava into his study, Mac changed the subject. "Where did we leave off Ava?" They'd been reading a book together before he left on assignment.
Ava's eyes welled with tears. Sniffling, she admitted finishing the book months before. She continued to apologize as the tears flowed.
Crouching to meet her eyes, her father wiped her tears from her face. "You finished on your own?" She nodded and gasped as her father pulled her close for a hug. "Ava, I'm so proud of you!" Small gasps and sniffles continued as her father led her to his chair. "Don't cry Little Bird. Leave the tears behind you. If you want something, don't wait for me or anyone else. Don't let anything stop you, all right? Promise me Ava."
l-l-l
She heard the words whispered in her ear. "What does the little bird say, Ava?" He eyes opened in a sudden jolt, Ava tried to move, her limbs unresponsive to her will. More troubling to her, the absence of light, plunging the makeshift cell into complete darkness. Her breathing seemed amplified, unnerving her even more; Ava pleaded silently to be released.
The force holding her to the mattress vanished with a metallic sigh, allowing Ava to sit. "Breathe."
Somewhere deep within the corridor a soft voice echoed her. "Breathe."
Stop it; she warned herself, there's no one here. Against all concern, Ava stood facing the remembered direction of the corridor, she could use the walls to navigate, the Chancellor and Ravus had to exit the area, and if Ava could remain in control, she might succeed. Reaching out, her hands searched for the metal walls, guessing if she could reach one of them, she'd have a path to follow.
On the right, her hand touched something wet against a hard surface, Ava guessing rainwater drained through the cracks. Following the corridor, Ava's eyes seemed incapable of adjusting to the complete lack of light; each time she blinked, her eyes unfocused. She counted her steps; hoping for a corner on the right side, her even steps her sole means of navigating the path.
Thirty steps in, Ava could feel no change in the wall or any hint of outside noise. Her breath caught as she walked, dread rising with each advance. Fifty steps in, Ava felt a dull edge with her fingertips, following it down to her feet hoping the impending turn might yield a way out.
At the far end of the next long corridor Ava's eyes revealed a faint light. Her pulse sped faster thinking she'd found the exit, but the low murmur of voices and an unrecognizable clink of something caught her attention. Caution carried her steps, Ava attempting to muffle her progress with careful grace.
The muffled voices, familiar in some respects forced her to stop and listen to the conversation. Only a few words here and there could be heard, Ava realizing she'd have to venture closer. ". . .her go. . .let me. . ."
Ava's ears knew the voice well. "Gladio," she whispered, before risking detection and running toward the source. "Gladio!"
The light grew in intensity, leading her toward an open field; covering her eyes from the blinding sunlight, Ava realized her mistake. She dreamed. None of what she witnessed had been real. Somewhere still hidden away, Ava- the real Ava- slept.
A small round table, fit for children's play rested with six chairs around it, the table top covered in tea pots and sweets, but the inviting nature of the apparent tea party was stained by the macabre arrangement of the guests. Her father sat primly- as young as she remembered him from years ago; the only guest sitting upright sipping from a delicate white tea cup. All around Ava saw a twisted macabre scene. Clarus, Cor, Cid, and King Regis slumped forward in their chairs; a dagger plunged through each man's back. Horror gripped her seeing each blade carved in her father's symbol- a black bird.
"Hello sweetling, be a dear and finish what Daddy started."
Ava felt a weight rest in her hand, drawing her attention downward to see another of her father's knives in her grip.
"Ava, what are you doing? Come on, you know you don't want to hurt Noct."
She stared at Gladio standing before Noctis, his arms outstretched. "Gladio?"
Her father refilled the tea cup, his voice stern. "Finish this, Ava."
She dropped the dagger on the ground, shaking her head. "I can't," she said, shaking her head, "I'm not. . .I won't."
The large heaving sigh from her father carried all his disappointment to her ears. "I'm so very disappointed in you, Ava."
With a final look to Gladio, Ava turned and ran back into the darkened corridor, Gladio calling her name.
l-l-l
"Wedge! How messed up are we talking?" Aranea shouted into the metal building, they'd found the missing Crownsguard agent, but based on what she'd heard, the girl was a mess.
"She's off her trolley, Lady A!" Wedge and Biggs, Aranea's best, carried the girl on a makeshift stretcher.
Aranea sighed. "Translation for those of us who have no clue what you said?"
Biggs offered a more direct response. "She's in a bad way, looks like she's suffered severe injuries. What my friend here tried to say is that the young lady isn't quite aware."
Nodding, Aranea pulled out her phone. She understood Ignis and the prince's party planned to leave for Altissia, but she hoped it wasn't too late. "Get her on board," she said, pressing the speed dial.
"Yes," Ignis' formality on the phone explained he wasn't alone or, if she'd understood the overheard conversations, the fourth in their party-the big guy-was likely within earshot.
"I found her, and I will not lie. She's alive, but will need serious care. Where do I take her?"
l-l-l
Ignis looked through the multitude of conversations on the dock and caught the Marshal's attention. The two stepped away from the group and Ignis relayed what little he knew.
"Can we trust her?" Cor asked, skeptical but trusting of Ignis' assessment.
"Yes," he said, "I believe we have another ally, with a transport ship, if needed." Cor, saying little else than instructions to have Ava brought to the Cape. He pulled Monica aside, leaving Ignis to relay the information into his phone.
Once delivered, Ignis returned to the group as they said their farewells with broad smiles and boarded the boat.