welcome back! thanks for my awesome review and thanks for reading!
...
The sky wept for what seemed like ages since Gladiolus and the others had gotten out of the Disc of Cauthess days ago. The four of them were somewhat defeated, left at the chocobo station while they waited for word on the whereabouts of the Regalia. The mechanic from the garage in Hammerhead, Cindy, was on the hunt for the car, however, the Shield and Ignis were convinced that it was confiscated by the Empire. So now they waited around for word but it was taking a while and he was getting a little impatient with it all. In fact, he was fed up completely. After taking on a God - which was not one of his best ideas regardless of if he had a choice or not - they were left for dead with Imperial dreadnaughts everywhere. The four of them had no idea how they were to get out of their mess but lo and behold, that strange man known as Ardyn was there to rescue them; only they had found out he was indeed the Chancellor of Niflheim himself. Ignis conceded they had no other option but to accept his help and Gladiolus was not happy with the choices presented to them, but they made it out and were dropped not too far from the outpost. Of course, they were left without their car and no real way to get back to Lestallum, or anywhere else for that matter. Noctis was unwilling to move on without it and here they were, stuck in one spot.
The stench of chocobos was starting to become so constant Gladio could hardly smell it anymore. They were staying in the camper for now until they heard some sort of word on the Regalia. Wiz, the owner, was letting them stay there for free and it was a kind gesture. Even if they had the car, blockades were being set up all over the place and made it difficult to travel anyway. Then, of course, there was this damn, never ending rain that just put most in a bad mood. There was nothing they could do, they were stranded until they heard from Hammerhead. It didn't do so well with someone who often had to take action instead of sitting around and waiting.
"Look, there's Umbra!" said Prompto, distracting them from their speculation.
Umbra was one of Lady Lunafreya's dogs. Gladiolus was used to the small animal making his appearance over the last twelve years to Noctis. It was how the two of them communicated over the distance and though Noctis didn't talk much about it, Gladiolus knew that it made the difference in the young Prince's life. The dog was usually a welcomed sight and the Shield enjoyed the happy animal even if he never did understand how the dog managed to find them all the time, especially with how far he would have to travel. Gladio didn't question it much either, magic not really his area of expertise. Umbra began to lead them a little way from of the outpost, rounding a tree and then stopped abruptly. There was a woman standing behind it, a gentle smile on her face as she observed them all. Tall and slender, with long black hair that hung pin straight and olive green eyes. Her lips were as red as the ring around them and she was dressed in her formal wear as usual. Gladiolus felt a little strange around her but knew exactly who she was. Gentiana, a messenger. When she spoke, her voice almost sounded like an echo as she delivered her message that the Oracle would be waiting for them in Altissia. Then, in the blink of an eye, she disappeared, as if she were never there in the first place.
Noctis knelt down to the dog and pulled out that book. The three other men were patient as he leafed through the book. Sometimes it would take longer than others but it was important so they didn't say anything. The Prince reached for something in his pocket, composing his reply before replacing the book back, lingering a moment longer.
"What's this?" asked Noctis, pulling something from Umbra's collar.
The young royal stood from his post as Umbra ran off, turning to the others with a confused frown on his face as he looked at his hand. Gladiolus saw something shine there, tensing as soon as he recognized it.. The object in the Prince's hand was a silver chain, dangling from his fingers and spinning, catching the little light as it did so. At the end of it was a disk that had a tree inside of it, amber orbs intent upon them as it moved.
"That's Cia's..."
Gladio's face was stiff, his face unreadable as he remained fixated on it. Prompto looked down at his feet with uncertainty and Ignis turned his face away from the Shield, also at a downward angle. Noctis looked up at his friend a little sadly, before putting his attention back toward his own hands. Glancing at his friend, he held out the chain and a small note slowly. Gladiolus met his gaze, unclenching his hands from his own arms and taking them.
"It was on Umbra's collar," said Noctis a little tentatively, unable to face him.
I'm sorry.
That's all that was written on the note. Gladiolus frowned at it before he observed the necklace. It wasn't Athenacia's writing and he was at a loss. Crushing the paper, he tossed it aside in order to better examine the necklace with the other hand. It was the first sign of her since the attack on the city and he didn't know what to make of it. Only one thing was clear, she had seen the Oracle at some point because that was the only way this would have come to him the way it did. He had been so focused on everything that happened since the trial of Titan he didn't spend much time thinking about the doctor's whereabouts. Why did she send this to him? Did she die? Did she plan on dying? Or had this happened after the city fell? There was no time to wonder about it, wrapping the chain around his wrist underneath the small sleeve he kept on his left arm. The tree disc hung out of it a bit and he tucked it back in there for safe keeping. Athenacia always wore that necklace, hardly ever took it off and Gladio swore he'd be take care of it until he finally met up with her again - because he couldn't think of the alternative, not right now anyway. Looking up at Noctis he nodded to signal that he was ready for the next step in their journey.
...
Athenacia was disgruntled. The city of Lestallum was experiencing a heat wave and it was making others grouchy. Yes, she was still in Lestallum, standing on the terrace looking out over the city and wishing she wasn't so close to anyone. It had been days and there was rain everywhere. The muggy weather only made things worse for her as she was pretty much trapped inside. She would have left by now and come back twice, however, she couldn't even if she wanted to; the Empire had put up blockades and checkpoints all over. They claimed it was for safety but she wasn't so easily fooled. They were looking for someone, whether it was her, the Prince or the Oracle, or even all three, she couldn't be sure, she just knew that she was stuck here in Lestallum.
The doctor had the resolve to stay in the shadows and await the arrival of Gladiolus and the others - just to observe, she wouldn't approach the Prince with a target on her back. Then she would disappear, taking solace in knowing that they were all safe. He had informed Iris that they lost their car and were stuck until they found it. It had been several days since then and Athenacia had wanted to get out of one spot before people started to notice her, however, that wasn't the case at all so she mostly stayed in the hotel room with Iris and Talcott. Neither of them wanted to go outside in the rain anyway. The physician sighed as she went back inside. At least the terrace had an awning so that she could stay dry but there was only so much people watching she could do before she felt that she herself was being watched. Talcott was with his grandfather, Jared, getting something to eat while Iris was on her phone doing who knew what. Athenacia had really nothing to do, living mostly out of her truck and didn't pack any sort of reading material. Usually, at a time like this, she would also be on her phone reading, however, her phone was smashed in all the chaos that consumed the Crown City.
"I think you'd like my brother," said Iris without raising her eyes from her phone.
"I doubt I'll have the chance. I have to head toward the hunter headquarters once the blockade is lifted," replied Athenacia.
Iris looked sad at that, "You can't just stay to say hi?"
"Afraid not."
They were silent again, Athenacia trying desperately not to get into a deep conversation with Iris about Gladiolus. She missed him terribly but was happy that he was alive and well. At least while she was stuck here, she could keep track of him without worrying too much.
About two days later the weather finally broke and the rain let up. People breathed sighs of relief as they were able to go outside and stay dry. Three, in particular, were happy to get out of that stuffy hotel room and breath in a little fresh air. Athenacia, Iris and Talcott were aimlessly wandering around Lestallum only for the sake of being outside. The humidity was going down a bit and not only did the smell of fresh rain fill her nostrils as she walked, but also the food and she was a sucker to pass up anything here. This was definitely, so far, her favourite place to eat. The young doctor was still wearing her boots as she didn't have any other shoes with black shorts and that same pink top she had purchased days ago when she had arrived back in the city. The doctor kept that braid over her identifying scar and her face hidden as much as possible behind her bangs. Unarmed, she was a little uneasy with so many people, however, it was difficult to blend in with a weapon strapped to her back. The other thing that made her feel less complete was the absence of her necklace, the thing she had never parted with since as far as she could remember. The physician was hoping that it had safely made its way toward its destination - however Lady Lunafreya was doing it.
Athenacia still completely avoided anything to do with the hospital an although she had spotted some of her former staff, they didn't recognize her. It put her at ease to know that people she worked with didn't know her on sight. If Gin knew where she was then the woman could easily be in danger herself. The young doctor could not risk that unborn child. Hell, she was still a little uneasy about lingering in the city as long as she had been but had no choice due to the never ending blockade. Either way, there were plenty of other places to go without having to go near that building. Talcott was happily enjoying his snack as he walked in between both women. Iris was chatting away about power plant or anything else that came to her mind, eager to speak of Noctis quite often and her "date" with him when they had come to the city. Athenacia could only smile at the young girl's enthusiasm, wondering how the Prince and his Shield felt about it, or if the younger man even knew.
"What about you Tia? Did you have a boyfriend?" asked Talcott.
"Me? Oh well... Yeah, I... I did," she smiled softly at them.
"What was he like?" asked Iris.
She smiled at her own memories, "Strong, positive. Giant ego though sort of was a deal breaker."
Iris rolled her eyes, "Yeah I know the type."
The doctor sighed, "I couldn't tell you what it was but..." she shrugged, "He's just, a really good guy you know? Always so thoughtful, even when he doesn't have to be."
"That's so cute! I wish my brother was more of a romantic person."
Athenacia snorted, "You'd be surprised sometimes."
Whatever Iris was going to say was cut off by someone screaming. The doctor's attention snapped toward the commotion that was starting in the city. Her eyes widened as she saw MagiTek troopers start to sweep the area. Shit. This was not good.
"Take Talcott and go find Dustin," instructed Athenacia, voice low and eyes intent.
"What about you?" asked Iris.
"Just go," she commanded in a tone that left no room for argument.
Iris nodded, grabbing the young boy by the arm and dragged him away from the troopers. Athenacia's eyes darted toward the parking spots and noted that she was unable to get to her truck in order to grab her weapon or get away. They probably had the exits blocked anyway. She wore a scowl on her face as she tried to get an idea of what was going on around her, however, she was only pushed roughly by someone on her back. She felt a gun behind her ear and immediately put her hands on her head, following the crowd of people where they were being herded. The unmistakable shape of a gun barrel was at the back of her ear, and she put her hands up in surrender as she was led back to the outdoor space in front of the Leville. The doctor wasn't the only one there, other Insomnian refugees and some Lestallum locals were being forced into the same spot. Athenacia was pushed to her knees into the sea of people and let her arms drop after she caught sight of Iris, Talcott, Jared and Dustin on the other side of the semi-circle. Hazel hues flickered all around her, noting the troopers with guns trained on all of them and that their exits were blocked. They were completely surrounded, forced to their knees and making it hard to attempt an escape. This did not bode well at all.
People were scared, hugging their loved ones and crying in fear of what was going on. Finally, the soldiers seemed to be done herding all of them and stood, waiting. Athenacia heard footsteps and out came who she could only assume was the one in charge. The man was dressed for war despite coming into a small town full of unarmed citizens, tall, with brown hair and lines all over his face. A scowl creased his features as he looked over all of them like they were the filth under his shoe. He probably thought them to be as well. There was someone else with him, a much younger man, blond hair and an amused smile on his face. While he was dressed in armour as well, it didn't appear to be nearly as eloquent as the older man. Athenacia recognized him as Loqi Tummelt, an officer for the Empire and a thorn in her side when she was younger and training with Cor.
"The boy, do you see him?"
Loqi was whispering to his commanding officer, quiet whispers, however Athenacia was able to pick it up, straining her ears and focusing. There were times in her life that she hated she was trained for war and now was definitely not one of them.
"He's here. Find his elder, he'll know the whereabouts of the Prince," replied the older man.
So that's what this was about. They blocked everything off because they couldn't find Noctis and the others. Now they had a giant city full of people and the Prince would be none the wise until they were finished here. This wasn't right and it made Athenacia's eyes narrow in hate at them. If they were lucky, the people they were searching for had long since skipped town and these idiots would leave them all alone - before she was picked out of a crowd. The doctor saw them point out toward her friends before a grunt had gone and grabbed the person they were searching for. Athenacia tensed as soon as she saw them roughly push Jared to the front.
"You're the Amicitia steward are you not? Tell me, where is the Prince?"
The old man did not move, loyal to the point that he would get himself killed. The young doctor knew that even if Jared had any idea of the royal's whereabouts, he would not crack under pressure, far too proud of his role in life.
"I'll ask again and only one more time nicely," said Loqi, "Where is Prince Noctis?"
Everything was silent. The tension was building up as fear engulfed the entirety of the crowd. No one would give up their Prince, not a single one of them. Athenacia cringed when she heard the smack given to Jared by the Loqi, exhaling deeply in order to remain calm. Talcott was screaming and the doctor could see that Iris had taken him in his arms and held him tightly, trying to quiet him.
"Tell me where the Prince is!" demanded the man called Caligo.
Jared remained still, facing his enemy without a trace of fear on his face. It was admirable, brave, and caused tears to well in the bottom of her eyes.
"Tell me now!"
No words came from the old man, not even when he was punched to the ground violently. Jared did not remove his face from his enemy, glaring them down. He was a tough son of a bitch, that no one could deny.
"Where is Prince Noctis?!" Caligo was becoming angry now.
Athenacia's face darkened as her enemy delivered a blow so hard she was certain her sensitive ears heard bones crack. This was how the Empire operated? Preying on the old and the weak? It made her blood boil. Caligo roughed him up and Iris shielded Talcott from view as the young man cried. This wasn't right. Jared wouldn't talk though, he was sworn to Amicitia and by extension, Caelum. Didn't this idiot know that? Probably not.
"Tell me where he is or you die!" yelled Caligo, taking out his sword as he held Jared by the scruff of his shirt.
Talcott's wails grew louder as Iris began her own sobbing. Athenacia observed them from where she forcefully kept with sorrow in her eyes before her hard look returned back toward the sight before her. Everyone was silent, filled with fear of what was happening. The MagiTek troopers had their guns trained on all of them so there was no hope of fighting them off without suffering casualties.
"Nothing?" Caligo raised a brow, "So be it!"
Iris wailed as she hugged Talcott tightly and Dustin hovered over her protectively. Athenacia's tears fell, angry as she watched the sword slide effortlessly into the heart of a dear and kind old man. That only caused more screams of panic to erupt from the crowd of Insomnian refugees. The girl could feel her hand trembling, the sound of Jared's body loud in her ears as it fell to the ground lifeless. This wasn't right. His fate should have been far better than that. She saw Crowe and Tash fall to the ground just as this man did, and many other comrades that had fallen beside her. The Empire was taking everyone away and she was powerless to stop them.
"No one knows where he is! Don't you monsters get that?!" shouted an all too familiar voice.
Athenacia's heart stopped as Caligo then grabbed a ginger-haired woman out of the crowd. She was pregnant, very pregnant, wearing scrubs for the hospital here in Lestallum. Gin screamed as the hair was practically being pulled out of her head. Tears fell down the nurse's eyes while she was forced to her knees, the blade parallel to her growing womb. This wasn't right. The doctor watched in fear for the unborn child and her friend.
"Anyone else have something useless to say to me?" asked Caligo, his voice riddled with malice.
Athenacia's fist tightened at her side. What could she do? Too many would die if she tried to fight. The longer she stared into the fearful eyes of her friend the more time seemed to stop. Iris and Talcott were crying as the blood of his grandfather leaked all around him into a giant pool. Gin was next if Athenacia didn't do something. This wasn't right. Another tear fell down her cheek as the tension grew with each passing second, however, no one made a move, and it was because of the simple fact that no one knew where the Prince was. Even if they did no one would talk, no one would risk their King who was out there doing his duty to them.
"Fine, where is Iris Amicitia?" Caligo spoke in almost a bored voice, "I know she's among you!"
That sprouted whispers among the refugees. This was only getting worse and the young girl began to sob even more as Dustin kept his protective stance over her. As a Crownsguard, he would lay his life on the line for her but there were many of them and only one of him. His plan wouldn't work and if this Caligo was asking where Iris was it meant that he didn't know who she was or what she looked like. Neither did any of the refugees because none of them even bothered to look at her. Not even Athenacia, she was observing through her peripherals as she kept her eyes trained on Gin.
"This woman will die if Iris does not come forward!"
Iris let out a loud sob. Caligo pressed his blade onto Gin's abdomen and was ready to attack. Athenacia watched in horror as he was getting ready to kill yet another one of them. This wasn't right, she couldn't let this happen. She was not powerless, she could wipe them all out instantly. That's right, she could take out every single last one of them, but not here or she'd kill innocent lives. No, she would have to isolate them somehow. Caligo was about to deliver the killing blow, just as Iris was inching her way toward her feet.
"No stop, It's me!" shouted Athenacia, sprouting to her feet and gaining the attention of everyone, "I'm Iris Amicitia!"
Caligo smiled, "Finally, we're getting somewhere."
"I'll go with you, tell you everything, but only if you let these people go and leave the city," she had tears in her eyes, ready to fall.
Everyone was staring at her in horror, including the pregnant nurse and the real Iris Amicitia. Gin's eyes were wide in recognition and fear but Athenacia didn't acknowledge her, keeping her gaze trained on her enemy as she was always taught to by Cor. The silence and anticipation felt like an eternity, a warm wind blowing slightly, adding to the hyper moods already spread throughout the terrified people.
"I think that's a fair trade, don't you?"
The owner of the voice was a person that struck fear to Athenacia's very core. Hazel eyes widened as she came upon the man from Insomnia, the one that was chasing her ever since the fall of the city. He only smiled that same evil smile at her as he came into view. The fists at her side clenched tightly as she tried desperately to keep her calm demeanour. This man knew her real name and could completely spoil what she was trying to do, putting all of these people into danger once more.
"She could be lying about telling us anything, I'd rather bring some insurance," replied Caligo.
"Perhaps you sell them short. There really is no trace of the Prince here or these fine people would have told you by now. Let's take the young Amicitia and go."
Caligo released Gin in disgust. So, it seemed that she wasn't the only one who had an issue with this man. The nurse didn't move, her eyes still in shock as she regarded her friend. Athenacia's gaze remained upon her enemy, straining to keep herself from breaking right then and there.
"Shall we, Miss?" the evil man smiled, offering his hand towards her.
Athenacia took small steps toward them, her skin crawling at every movement. There were still tears in the bottom of her eyes, willed to stay, refusing to show her fear in front of this monster. Caligo dismissed his men and the troopers dropped their weapons, beginning to evacuate the area. Athenacia reached the two men of Niflheim and then looked back one last time at the pregnant nurse. She then caught the eyes of Iris and Dustin before turning her back on all of them and walking beside her most feared enemy and leaving the scene. They were safe - for now.
Gin immediately got to her feet after that, wiping her tears and wishing there was more she could do. Instead, she walked toward the young girl, boy and obvious Crownsguard with a purpose. The teenage girl was completely distraught as she got to her feet, still shielding the young boy from the body of the man that was killed in all of this commotion, however, the pregnant woman had a purpose here, had to get this out.
"You're Iris Amicitia, aren't you? Gladio's sister?" asked Gin in a hushed voice.
Iris nodded, "Yeah," her voice quivered.
"You need to get in touch with your brother right away, maybe even Cor."
"W-Why?"
Gin fixed her a level glare.
"Because the woman they just took is in fact, Athenacia Virum."
...
thanks so much! I'll go back and fix this up tomorrow after work!
