a/n: another (late) update. gomenasai~! hope you'll like this chapter! Special thanks to yorumiko for helping me out in OF's plot. Although she said that she'll be quitting fanfiction, I think she'll still be back. Haha. Her writing hand will soon itch to create another fanfic story, ne yorumiko? :D
Disclaimer: SE owns FFVXIII~! (damn. need. trailers. now.)
"Oblivious Fate"
By: rorudesu-chan
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Chapter 25: Flashbacks
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She always believed that this time would come. She dreamt of this moment since she was told that there was a way for her to find out about her 'true' identity. An exchange: the Caelum Crystal for a forgotten fragment of herself. Upon finding the whereabouts of the Caelum's mystical rock, she would immediately relay the information to the Tenebrae government and from then on it would be up to Ambassador Spargo and the rest.
But even if Stella knew that the chance of finding the Crystal's whereabouts would soon come, nothing was able to prepare her much when that moment actually revealed itself before her.
She took a deep breath. "The C-crystal?"
"Yes." Noctis replied. "It's part of the real reason why I refused to go to the conference in the first place."
Stella's eyes gazed upon the floor. Her heart pounded madly. She felt her hands shiver in excitement. Could this be moment… be real?
Finally.
Her only hope…
…only wish…
…has finally been granted.
"Stella?" Noctis questioned. "Are you alright?"
She raised her head. Stella smiled—a bit too much. "I'm fine, Noct. Please, let's get on with this."
He gave a nod. There was another palm scanner beside the huge crystal-textured door. Noctis placed his left hand beneath it. It wasn't long before the computer recognized the Caelum son as the gateway to the Crystal opened.
A security camera on every corner of a corridor.
About 40-50 soldiers guarding the way to the Crystal.
At least two different pathways towards this particular place.
Basement.
Caelum Company.
Nihilsomno Highway.
Stella carefully memorized all of this. Her mind etched an imaginary map which the Tenebrae kingdom could use when they finally decide to attack Noctis' country.
As the diplomat followed the Prince, she suddenly felt the air surrounding her turn colder than before. In fact, she had sensed the gradual change in temperature as they got closer to the mystical rock's abode. However, she disregarded the chilly feeling she felt, thinking that she could still handle it.
Finally, the time came.
"Stella," he called out, gesturing an arm before him. "That is the Crystal of the Caelum family."
There 'it' was.
Her eyes widened in awe. She felt her heat beating wilder than before. The colossal rock was something that was quite difficult to describe by words alone. A person needed to see it firsthand, before he could actually describe it to those who haven't seen its grandeur before.
Feeling the temperature's sudden, and probably its final drop, Stella swathed her hands around her arms as she stared speechlessly upon the Crystal. She wondered about a lot of things, mainly concerning the almighty-like thing before her. But as she did so, something wrapped around her shoulders, thus warming her up.
She looked down and realized that it was Noctis' coat. Earlier, he had glanced at her and noticed how her bare arms shivered in the coldness and how her hands briskly rubbed up and down to ignite some heat.
Poor Stella, Noctis thought. He smirked sadistically at the result of her stubbornness. The Caelum Company designed the basement's temperature to be at least below 30 degrees in Celsius. Not only was this for the purpose of meeting with the Crystal's stabilization temperature, but it was also for a special reason: If anyone was able to get pass the highly difficult security system, the basement's freezing temperature would still make it hard for the trespasser to go on further. But this would only apply if it wasn't the Prince who entered the Crystal's premises. Otherwise, the company would be dealing with either a genius intruder or a simple traitor close to the Caelum monarch himself.
"Let's get a closer view of the Crystal, Stella." He spoke, walking away from Stella after draping his coat around her bare shoulders.
She nodded and followed him, clutching Noctis' black coat closer to her. Stella felt warmer than before as she smelt the enticing fragrance of his body through his clothing.
Noctis paused on his feet and glanced to his right. Stella felt his stare. He must be waiting for a reaction, she thought.
"There's nothing I can say, Noct. I'm lost for words."
Noctis sneered. "Is that so?"
"Yes. The Crystal… I never thought that it would be this huge…" Stella gazed and went on. "…and powerful."
"Powerful?" he asked, averting his look from her. "How can you be so sure of that?"
"Isn't your family fortune proof enough?"
He remained quiet, but only for a few moments. The light illuminating from the Crystal reflected upon their faces as Noctis began to tell Stella why he wanted to show the rock to her in the first place.
"Stella," he said. "I should never have been in that conference tonight."
"Yeah. But if it wasn't for me, your kingdom would've been shamed in a way."
"I know. That's why you get a reward."
She smirked. "I get to see the Crystal. Well then, thanks for 'this' Noct."
Cobalt eyes shut gently. Noctis was recalling his troubled past.
"Noct, I wasn't being sarcas—"
"When my parents died in that tragic conference four years ago, it was the start of my road towards kingship…
"It was the start of my so-called 'reality'. The reality that I'm bounded with no matter what. The reality that I can't hate…
"Stella, you might be wondering why I'm so negative about my duty as soon-to-be king." He said, taking a short glimpse at her. "It's because of the responsibility entwined with the title. The weight of the burden that I must carry until I die… You don't know how heavy it is.
"I've seen my father, King Neleus, suffer though he conceals it with reasons. Even if I wasn't quite mature back then, I'd know he was hiding something from both my mother and I."
Stella's forehead creased, a wondering expression crossed her face.
"When he was still alive, my father would spend half a day in the court, listening to those who wished to seek advice from him or whom he sought advice from. Then he'd retreat from his throne and go directly here in the company."
"Did you ever ask what he did?" she asked, softly.
"I often do. But his response would always be 'staff meeting' or 'stock calculations'… However, one day, he finally decided to tell me the truth…"
Noctis closed his eyes again.
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"Noctis! Where the hell are you, boy?!" A tall man in a black suit swerved his head in a search.
The fourteen year old Prince replied as he stood behind him. "I'm right here, old man."
"Old man?! Ha!" Neleus turned around. "I'll have you know that—"
"Let's go, Neleus. The conference will be starting in just a few hours." A lyrical voice spoke aloud. It was Queen Elianna, the wife of the Caelum King.
She was beautiful and it was undeniable that Noctis inherited her shy smile whilst he inherited his father's wild mane. Although besides having a 'wilder' hair than his father's, Noctis' locks had this characteristic of being dark brown at day but deep blue-gray at night.
"She's right, Neleus." Noctis agreed with his mother. "Otherwise, you'll have to face the wrath of mother."
"Eh?! Are we on a first name basis now? Elianna! Did you ever teach your son some manners?" the King exclaimed.
"Noctis is your son too." She smiled lovingly. "And yes, I did. He would be more respectful if you did the same thing to him, you know."
"I'm respectful! I'm King for goodness sake!"
"So you are." Noctis scoffed.
"Ha! Come here you!" Neleus suddenly gripped his son on the neck, playfully.
"Let go of me, you old fart!" Noctis winced, trying to pull off his father's strong arm away from his neck.
"Someday, you'll be King too, Noctis! By then you'll have to learn how to respect your elders!"
"Didn't you listen to what your wife just said? If you did the same thing to me, then I'd probably do the same to you."
Neleus grimaced. "Fine. I get the message." He released his son from his teasing hold. "What did I do wrong, Noctis?"
"Don't mind it. You'll be late for the conference."
"Nah! There are others who'll be late as well! Now c'mon… Tell me why you're all so emotional."
"I'm not being emotional. And, you can't bribe me."
The King smirked. "That's what you think. Wait here."
Elianna's emerald eyes followed Neleus who ran back into their bedroom. "Where are you going? We'll be late, Neleus."
"This won't be long."
And he was right. Before Noctis could leave the place and avoid telling his father what was wrong, the King came back, his right hand held behind his back.
"I'm not a kid anymore. It's not going to work."
"Shut up, boy. Just look at what I've got here."
Neleus pulled his hand from his back, bringing a closed fist before his son.
Noctis raised a brow. "You want to show me your fist?"
His father's laughter reverberated once more. "As a matter of fact my dear son…" he opened his fist.
The Caelum son widened his eyes. "A C-crystal?"
"Crystallite," Neleus corrected.
"What is it?"
"I was able to take a portion from the Crystal itself. This Crystallite is the result of it."
"Why would you do such a thing? Haven't you always told me that our forefathers greatly valued the Crystal so much that they'd dare not allow even one small scratch on it?"
"I know that, Noctis. But…" the King's face flashed a serious look. "If I wanted to study the Crystal, I had to find a way to make my research easier. After all, the Crystal's pretty much the same essence throughout itself."
"Wait," Noctis spoke. "You've always said you had a lot of research. What is this one about?"
Neleus cleared his throat. Finally, it was time his son knew of his doing. After all, he would be king of the land someday. He needed answers as his basis of understanding.
"The Crystal, my dear son, is 'dying'."
Noctis shook at the word of death. "Dying? H-how?"
"The Crystal's life depreciates like the way humans do when they get old. Its power gradually decreases until there isn't any left. When that happens, not only will our company shut down, but the livelihood of those who depend on our rock will be destroyed as well."
"What must be done so that it won't depreciate?"
"Its depreciation cannot be reversed. Only its death."
"Then how can its death be avoided?"
Neleus frowned. "That is what I'm researching as of now, Noctis. And so far, I don't even think I'm close to finding the solution."
"There must be a way." Noctis raised his voice. "There has to be."
"There is. However…"
"However?"
The Caelum King shook his head and muttered. "No, no. We simply cannot go with 'that'. It's the reason why I'm looking for an alternative…"
He stood up, his tall figure trailed by his son's cobalt eyes. "Leaving already? Father?"
Neleus roared in laughter at the sound of his paternal call. "So all I had to do was tell you the truth, huh Noctis?"
The Prince remained still but his father knew that it was what Noctis had wanted all along—the truth of his busyness, his no-show and his absentness to his only son.
"It's best that I go now. Your mother has already left."
Noctis looked around, confirming his father's words.
Neleus chuckled again. "She must be in the car now. Well! We don't want to let her wait in vain right, Noctis?"
"Just go already, Neleus."
"Ah! Again with the first names!"
"You owe me more explanations for the Crystal when you get back from the conference."
"Yeah, yeah. Be a good boy and do your assignments until then, Noctis. You're almost off to high school, right?"
"I'm already in high school, old man. First year to be precise."
Neleus rubbed the back of his head. He now doubted himself if he even attended Noctis' grade school graduation.
"Yes. I'll remember that." The King said, turning around. But before he could walk further away from Noctis, he halted and faced him once more.
"Oh yeah," Neleus tossed the Crystallite in the air as Noctis caught it with both hands. "Your reward."
The Prince glanced at the mystical rock between his palms before returning a look to his father.
"If I don't get the solution to our little dilemma, I expect you to find it for me and for our kingdom as well."
"And what if I can't find the answer?"
Neleus scowled. "Don't disappoint me, Noctis. You'll be king of this land someday. You must learn how to embrace your obligations. This is your reality, as it has been mine."
Noctis couldn't utter a word. Instead, he stood there as he watched his father wave a hand before he left for the conference, not knowing that the King and Queen would never return.
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"I'm sorry…"
Walking closer to the Crystal, Noctis heard Stella comfort him.
"I told you," he said. "I've already accepted their death. There's nothing anybody can do about it."
The blonde girl gazed down. Though her voice was full of compassion and sincerity, the look in her eyes depicted a different kind of emotion. She heard his story about him and King Neleus. She listened to it, even whole-heartedly perhaps. However, all her thoughts were completely far away from his.
"Noct," Stella spoke, not changing her voice as to avoid suspicion. "You mentioned something about a Crystallite. What is it?"
"Basically, it's just like that rock over there." Noctis replied, pointing ahead. "Think of it as a 'miniature' Crystal which can fit in your palm."
"So what you're saying is that…"
"The same essence all throughout. The Crystallite might be as powerful as the Crystal itself."
Noctis reached the cracked opening of the rock. He leaned a hand on one side and looked over his right shoulder.
"You're curious aren't you, Stella?"
"Am I being too obvious?"
"Very."
His reply felt like a signal for her to come to where he stood. And so she did.
Stella peeked into the open slit. Her blue irises widened in wonder. She was enthralled at the sight of the illuminating vastness that the Crystal's interior had.
"Over there," Noctis pointed out. "Do you see that?"
Examining the area, the Ambassador's eyes were caught by a crystal stalagmite at the center. Resting upon it was a rock whose translucent-white color lit brightly.
She gasped. "T-that's…!"
Noctis glanced at her. "The Crystallite."
Stella stepped backwards slowly, leaving the Prince to stare at the Crystallite alone. Strangely, he found himself reminiscing again… He didn't want to go to the conference in the first place because he was simply afraid. But remembering his father's words gave his sense of courage back.
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"If I don't get the solution to our little dilemma, I expect you to find it for me and for our kingdom as well."
"And what if I can't find the answer?"
"Don't disappoint me, Noctis. You'll be king of this land someday. You must learn how to embrace your obligations. This is your reality, as it has been mine."
Neleus turned around. But before he could finally leave the room, he said:
"As long as you believe in yourself, you won't be afraid. You're my son, Noctis. And because of that, I know you'll be able to do things greater than those that I've done."
The King's words were enough to put a grin on his enigmatic face.
"Hey…" Noctis called out. "You really believe in me, don't you?"
"You think I'd lie about something like that, Noctis?" Neleus laughed. "Of course I do!"
"Well then, I promise not to disappoint you… Father…"
"Ha! That's my son!"
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His black coat which warmed her fell down on the floor. She pulled up the end of her evening dress on the right side, revealing a rapier strapped around her right thigh. Her hand grabbed the handle and she drew her weapon out.
She simply couldn't wait any longer.
Noctis felt that he already had quite enough of recollection moments. Taking one last look from the Crystallite, he whispered, "I'll protect this kingdom just like what he did. I'll face this reality because he believed in me."
The Prince turned around, completely unaware of the following events to happen.
She pressed the button at the tip of the rapier's handle, thus retracting the weapon at full length. The blade's sharp end swiftly thrust forward, barely touching the middle of his neck.
He was caught off guard. His heart palpitated yet his face remained calm and still. His voice was as deep as ever.
"What are you doing?"
"Hand over the Crystallite and I'll spare your life, Noct."
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a/n: So... how's the story going so far? Good? Bad? Tell me, okay? Review/Comment/Criticize! Oh~! that's right! Those who support NxS, and love reading fanfictions about the couple, please subscribe to the c2: "The Light and Star of the Night Sky" ... The archive is growing and hopefully the subscribers will too as well! Thanks to my fellow staff members (Warangel88, yorumiko, Nightsky88) who has helped me out a lot!
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*~REVIEW REPLIES~*
(24. The Crystal)
ken08002: I think he hasn't been doing his 'obligation' well since he's a kinda caught up with something else.
Rosa: Yeah.. Noctis is definitely trusting Stella a bit too much. :( Not good.
Warangel88: Hehe! I doubt Noctis would be too blunt of a person to tell him that he likes Stella (if he really does...). I think even in the real story, he wouldn't dare confess... or would he? :)
Selena: Thanks! I'm glad you liked Stella's dress! :) I chose blue since it matches her skin tone, don't you think so too?
SilverIceDragon: Hey Kalli. I must say, because of your review, you were able to give me an idea on the plot. *wink* but! I'm not telling which part of the review helped me, 'cause I think it might be obvious. Hehe. Thank you so much for the idea! .... what. did. you. say. O__o. Cool. Clearing the what? Wow. Now I'm wondering about what you do! Mind sharing to me? :D
drifter17: Hehe. The N/S relationship is indeed moving forward. But after this chapter, what do you think? Oh and.. was this chapter another cliffhanger too? Seriously. I don't realize that the chapter's end is a cliffhanger unless someone tells me it is. Hehe. :)