a/n: Come visit my profile page and vote for a new poll I posted~~ :D Its purely a random question I thought of the moment I published this chapter. What do you think should SE show at the next Versus XIII trailer? Let me and the others (and SE!) know what we Versus fans want for the next trailer! Of course, the final call is still up to the game developers. But still, wouldn't speculating kill the time until a new trailer comes out? :D
"Oblivious Fate"
By: rorudesu-chan
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Chapter 29: Troubled Kingdoms
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If only the night's rain could wash away the insanity that has taken over the land. If only the night's rain could replenish every heart broken, every soul betrayed. Then maybe, just maybe, everything would seem like it was before: untouched and unharmed. But then, the choices taken in the past have already crumbled the path ahead. And through the cracks of brokenness, the fates of two different worlds seep, forever entwining.
"Queen Seraphine," a palace guard humbly called. "Ambassador Spargo wishes to speak with you."
"Send him in." she replied.
"Yes, Your Highness," responded the soldier who politely excused himself from the queen's living room.
The cackling fire danced within the fireplace. Its warmth emitted, while its natural burning smell wafted from the hearth. Seraphine watched the flickering flames as she waited for the male diplomat to enter the premises.
"Good evening, Queen Seraphine," greeted the Ambassador as he closed the door gently.
"It is a lovely evening, Ambassador," replied the old monarch, not taking her gaze away from the hearth.
"I am quite surprised to see you back here so early, my Queen. Did you not enjoy the conference?"
She chuckled lightly. "I did. However, a part of me wishes to take things a tad bit slower. I must make it until then."
Spargo did not respond. He knew very well what the queen meant by 'a part of her'. Seraphine slowly averted her gaze from the fireplace and turned to face the Ambassador.
"I was told by my bodyguard that you and Ambassador Somna left the conference in hurry." She raised an eyebrow. "Is that true, Ambassador?"
Releasing a deep breath, Spargo answered, "Yes we did, my Queen."
"I wonder where the two of you went."
"We went to the hospital… the one closest to the Caelum Company."
"And what business have you attended there?"
Spargo was very reluctant in answering Seraphine's question. But in order to arrange things back in place, he knew that he had to admit everything that had happened. Mustering up the courage to answer, he said, "…Our beloved Princess."
"What happened to Ambassador Fleuret? Tell me what you know, Ambassador." The Queen pressed her lips, awaiting his answer.
"After my speech ended, I spotted Ambassador Fleuret exiting the conference hall together with the Caelum Prince. I simply assumed that she was going to do something which pertains to her given mission. However, I was sadly mistaken…" he paused before continuing in a depressed voice. "I later found out that she was brought to the hospital because of a mental breakdown and a minor injury."
"Who informed you, Ambassador?" asked Seraphine.
"Your step-daughter, my Queen," answered Spargo.
"I see," agreed the Tenebraean sovereign. "How is Stella as of now?"
"The doctor said that she's doing fine. She's currently recovering from the so-called state of shock. She should be able to come home after a few days."
"You bear good news, Ambassador." Seraphine replied, calmly.
Spargo simply grinned at the queen's statement. But he wondered how she managed to keep her emotions bottled up. Her words just sounded so relaxed, as if Stella recollecting her past was not something to be troubled about.
"Queen Seraphine," Spargo called. "I would like to ask, if I may."
"Go ahead, Ambassador," she permitted.
"Her Highness seems so… at peace with Ambassador Fleuret's current condition."
"Is that what you think, Ambassador Spargo?"
"Yes, my Queen."
Seraphine chuckled gracefully. "It is because I know this day would eventually come. But, I might be speculating things so lightly. That's why you, Ambassador, need to explain things to me further."
He brought a hand over his chest, bowing down slightly. "As you wish, Queen Seraphine. But, please do hear my proposals on how to deal with the matter. The Council has also laid down the solutions in case this day came sooner than expected."
A red, velvet couch rested at the side of the fireplace. It had always been the old monarch's favorite place to sit whenever Eneas discussed to her matters regarding the Tenebrae's future heir, Stella. Seraphine approached the couch and sat on it, gracefully. Perhaps, this would be one of those moments when matters regarding her daughter's welfare will be discussed as well.
She rested her right hand upon the couch's armrest. "Ambassador Spargo, please begin."
Spargo cleared his throat roughly before proceeding on with her daughter's condition and what they would do to set things back into place again.
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After a change of clothes, he finally felt clean and refreshed. He made sure that he would be comfortable as he retold the incident that had happened not too long ago.
"So that's how things are as of now," remarked the man whose nostrils exhaled cigarette smoke into the air. He looked at the figure of the Caelum heir before him, disappointingly. All the efforts they did to protect the Crystal from harm were crushed as easy and quick as that. The man had always thought that the Prince would be the last person to ever allow someone unauthorized within the rock's sacred abode. However, he also knew that sooner or later this kind of situation would come. The Prince was still a person after all. A person whose cold and lonely past caused him to long for something which could give him warmth and company in his life ahead.
Noctis looked back at him with calm eyes. Though the situation had been quite alarming, it was one of his remarkable traits to stay composed even if an unimaginable danger could break at the very instance. Deep inside his thoughts, he was still a bit confused. Confused about what his next actions should be and confused about what was really going on in Stella's life. Noctis tried to shake the latter thought away as he needed to continue explaining to Arkenis about the incident.
The officer sucked on the cigarette's butt before he continued. "If your father was here, he would terribly be disappointed about what had happened."
Noctis' eyebrows suddenly met in the middle and he retorted calmly, "If my father was here, this kind of situation would never happen in the first place."
Feeling that he had somewhat offended the Prince, Arkenis humbly apologized. "Forgive me, Prince Noctis. I did not mean for the great king to be involved or mentioned."
"Forget it, Arkenis," replied Noctis. "Anyhow, I want you to know that the Crystal is safe and unharmed. She was not able to put even a single scratch on it."
"Yes and that is all thanks to you, Prince Noctis. If it wasn't for your outstanding battle skills, she could've gotten away with the Crystal."
"The Crystal?" Noctis darkly laughed. "Don't be absurd, Arkenis. Certainly you are not thinking that Stella would carry the Crystal back to Tenebrae, right? Unless she had supernatural powers, she could. But then again, I'll stand in her way to prevent that kind of scenario from happening."
Arkenis grinned. "Ah. It's good to see you smile even for just a bit, Prince Noctis. Of course, why would I think of something utterly idiotic like that? And yes, I know that you'll definitely be the sole obstruction to prevent anybody else from obtaining the Crystal and its power."
Noctis scowled. "I'm surprised you can still find something to pick on at a serious time like this."
"My apologies, dear Prince. I'm just really pleased that she never came close to taking anything from the company or the kingdom."
"Actually, Stella did come close to taking something not just from the company or the kingdom… but something from me."
"What is that something you speak of?" Arkenis asked with a perplexed look on her face.
"A gift given to me by my beloved father-king… A Crystallite."
"Crys…tallite? I have never heard of such, Prince Noctis."
"Naturally, you wouldn't. I've never allowed anybody else to lay their eyes on it. Furthermore, without me, no one else can enter the sanctuary where the Crystal is kept; therefore, no one else knew that I kept the Crystallite there for personal reasons."
"Personal reasons? I see. It must be really something deep between you and King Neleus."
Unfathomable. Noctis corrected in his thoughts. The Crystallite helped him realize and remember a lot of things. One of which was the promise he made with the Caelum King on that tragic night of so long ago.
Arkenis sucked onto his almost finished cigarette before exhaling another cloudy smoke, a larger one this time. Noctis moved away from the officer's desk. He honestly disliked the smell of cigarette. There was something irritating about the bitter stench that he couldn't point out well. Noctis approached the familiar portrait that hung above the office's fireplace. His lips curled into a forced smile. He painfully thought about how things would be if his father and mother never got assassinated in that conference four years ago. He would probably be living a normal life of a seventeen year old high school student whose college days are optional since kingship lessons awaited him after he graduated.
There were so many roads that could've been his destiny ahead. But of all those roads, Noctis realized that none of them would ever lead him to cross paths with her. He wondered how things would turn out to be if he never met Stella. But for the bashful Prince, who was she to him?
"Prince Noctis," Arkenis called. He pressed the cigarette against the ashtray on his table, extinguishing the orange light. Noctis turned his gaze away from the family portrait. He never got to realize that he was actually looking past at it right after he began to dive deep into his thoughts.
"What do we do with that Ambassador now? I highly suggest that we negotiate with Tenebrae to have her arrested. That way, it won't cause any conflict with either side nor would it cause a ruckus with the media."
"The media? That reminds me… did anything regarding this night leak out?"
"We are currently trying our best to have every company employee keep everything they saw, strictly confidential. When the Unit 5 and Unit 6 soldiers were dispersed to check the cause of the security alarm, it caught the attention of those present in the building. But rest assured, Prince Noctis. I'll see to it that no information ever leaks out."
"I appreciate your effort, Arkenis."
"Of course, everything would remain peaceful if and only if Tenebrae keeps the incident to them as well."
Noctis smirked, folding his arms together before his chest. "I don't think they would be reckless to do something like that. After all, it was one of their own who started everything. They wouldn't think about publicizing something as shameful as that."
"Yes, it would be wise if they didn't. She began the fight but got defeated in the end." Arkenis chuckled sadistically. "I admire your confidence, Prince Noctis. However, though what the Ambassador did was not successful, we simply cannot let her get away with it."
"Then you are proposing that we negotiate with Tenebrae to have her locked up in our prison?"
"Exactly, my Prince. She betrayed your trust that's why she must be punished. Furthermore—"
"My trust? What is this trust that you are talking about?" Noctis' forehead creased. "There was no such thing from the very beginning. Stella was simply a pawn to be used in the mission you gave me. Or have you forgotten about the Crystal's depreciation, Arkenis?"
"I certainly have not, Prince Noctis."
"Then there is no reason to have her arrested."
The officer's eyes shot wide open. He stood quickly from his seat, slamming his palms upon the table. "But, my Prince! You could've been harmed or even worse!"
"Though she is highly skilled in using her weapon, instances like that are of little threat to me. I was raised how to hold a sword. Therefore, I also have the strength to wield it against anyone who comes to bring danger to my kingdom and the Crystal."
"So that means you have forgiven her, yes?"
Noctis paused, unsure if he had any answer at all. The pain that was born from the Stella's betrayal to him frustrated the remorse he felt for fooling her. She had caused trouble for him and at the same time, he did the same thing as well. But what was worse was that Noctis was aware about all of it while she was not. Stella did not know that she was being fooled just to be used. The more she did her best to push herself closer to Noctis, the more she threw herself deeper into the darkness that she was oblivious of.
"Perhaps," he began, snapping back to reality. He dropped his crossed arms down, clenching a fist firmly. "It would still take time before the wound heals into a scar."
Wound? Scar? Arkenis immediately knew what he was talking about. Though the Prince refused to open his feelings into a discussion, the Caelum military officer understood that the Ambassador's actions have hurt a part of him. He cared less of what Stella would eventually become to Noctis. But he was fearful from the very beginning that his emotional side, the one which keeps him aloof from people he doesn't know, would interfere with the mission given to him. But still, despite the fight that he was struggling with in his heart, Arkenis saluted the strength which he used to suppress his feelings within.
"Forgive me for reacting at my whim." Arkenis said, sitting down.
"I understand your position. If Father was indeed still alive, I would've gotten a 'better' reaction for my imprudence."
The officer laughed at the Prince's reply. "That would bring back good, old memories then."
He was pleased to hear that some of his humor had skulked back into his words. However, Neleus being alive would complicate things for him as he and the king still had issues left unsolved. Neleus was better off dead, Arkenis thought. If the king kept on living, the Caelum Kingdom would certainly cease to continue its legacy someday. For Arkenis, the rule of Neleus was tailored to end shorter than the previous Caelum kings. After all, it was Neleus' choice to willingly conclude his rule by a death he decided together with Queen Elianna.
"Arkenis, do not be consumed by your revenge for what Stella has done." Noctis ordered, calmly. "She has, or rather; she is already suffering as we speak."
"What do you mean, Prince Noctis?"
Noctis turned around. "We'll continue discussing this tomorrow." He slowly approached the door "I feel the need to have some rest." His eyelids felt heavy while his mouth was at the brink of yawning. As much as he wanted to inquire about something important, he felt as if his body was not going to let him go on. It had been a long, tiring night after all.
Arkenis pressed his dry lips into a smile. "Of course, my Prince. Tomorrow then." He pitied the monarch who was obviously trying his best to keep himself awake as he retold the incident.
His hand reached the doorknob. But as he was about to twist it open, Noctis' thoughts began to pull him away from reality and push him towards a certain event that had bothered him a bit earlier.
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Beep.
"Aeonis," Shoving his phone back into his pocket, Noctis looked over his shoulder. "I've just informed Lacertus about the situation. He and Celer should be at the hospital."
He turned his attention back to the unconscious Stella. With the strength he had in his knees, he pushed himself up to a stand. Carrying her in his arms, he faced the Crystal's guardian and ordered, "Meanwhile, I'd like you to bring the Crystallite back into its rightful place."
With a nod in his head, Aeonis scanned the area and searched the spot where Stella had unintentionally dropped the Crystallite. Finally, he found it and he approached the mystical rock. Picking it up, Aeonis gazed at it before glancing at the Prince.
Noctis looked back at him. "Why did she react to the Crystallite like that?"
"I have told you, my dear Prince," answered Aeonis. "Her search has just ended because the Crystal willed it to be. Memories of a forgotten past are now being returned to her."
"Forgotten past? How do you know about all of this, Aeonis?"
The robed man shifted his eyes towards the Crystal. Noctis followed his gaze as well. "It has told me so," replied Aeonis.
"Told you? 'It' cannot speak, Aeonis. The Crystal is only a tool that the Caelum kingdom has been using for generations. Because of it, my family's company exists."
"But with that, you are falsely misleaded, Prince Noctis," informed Aeonis. "Have you ever heard of the goddess whose eternal realm rests within the sanctuary of the dead?"
"No, I do not believe such divine being."
"Her name is Etro."
"Etro?" Noctis asked as if something celestial was so out of place. "I… have heard of that name. But doesn't her name belong within the books of mythology?"
Aeonis laughed gently.
"What does it have to do with the Crystal?" Noctis took a glimpse of the girl he was carrying. "…and her?"
Again, Aeonis laughed. Noctis now wanted to ask what he found so humorous.
Raising a finger, he said, "Take a look at her, Prince Noctis. She hangs tightly to her memories, literally."
Noctis did as what he asked of him. The Prince realized that he was completely unaware that Stella's wounded hand had clutched onto his polo, blotching its white fabric with a scarlet tint. Though her head leaned inwardly to his chest, Noctis could still see her beautiful, sleeping face. Gentle, yet troubled. He admitted to himself that he had no idea what kind of pain she was going through right now. The least he could do was alleviate things for her, but only a little. The anger he felt for her actions still hindered him to care more deeply about her situation.
Averting his gaze away, he began walking. "I'm leaving for the hospital. I expect for the Crystallite to be returned to its proper place, Aeonis."
"Of course, my dear Prince."
Noctis left the basement where the depreciating Crystal was kept. Strapped around his waist was the Ambassador's golden rapier which he had picked up earlier. Cradled in his arms was the girl whom he had trusted yet fooled at the same time as well.
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Noctis pulled himself back from his train of thoughts. Looking over his shoulder, he spoke, hesitant to ask at first. "Arkenis… is it ever possible for a divine being to carry her will through something which belongs to this world?"
The officer couldn't help but chortle at Noctis' rather ridiculous question. But to see the Prince's dark, cobalt eyes glower within the dim light of his office was something indescribable by simple words alone. Arkenis quickly understood that Noctis was dead serious.
"A divine being?" he asked, silencing his laughter. "Such tales only exist in myths, I believe."
"I see." Noctis wrenched the knob, pulling the door open. "Good night, Arkenis."
"Prince Noctis," The officer called, halting the Caelum son on his feet.
"What is it?"
"Your question has something to do with the Crystal, I suppose?"
"I don't have the faintest clue." Slowly closing the door behind him, he left the officer with these words, "I was expecting you to answer it for me."
Arkenis was left hanging, pondering upon the Prince's question. After he closed the door, Noctis expected stillness outside the office. But instead, a familiar face greeted him with a rather saddened look.
"It's alright if you eavesdropped on our conversation, Lacertus." Noctis began. "It has saved me the trouble of repeating things to you guys over again."
"Guess you're right, Noct." His scar faced friend smiled weakly. "I say it's time for you to forget Stella. But then again, moving on isn't that simple, eh?"
"Did Celer join the eavesdropping as well?" The Prince asked, ignoring one of Lacertus' humor-inducing statements.
"Of course he did, Noct! When it comes to you and that Tenebrae girl, he's the one who jots down every 'significant' event!" Lacertus laughed, weakly. "But then, he left quickly the moment you ended the conversation with Sir Arkenis. Fear of getting caught, I think."
"What's bothering you, Lacertus?" he asked, ignoring Lacertus' response again. "You don't seem like yourself right now."
His friend was correct. Something was indeed bothering Lacertus. He frowned and replied, "You've always seen right through me, Noct."
"That works in reverse too, Lacertus."
Lacertus smiled weakly, his cheerful nature radiating. But then, the thought of his purpose gradually pulled his grin upside down. "Actually, there's something I wanted to talk about that's why I purposely waited for you to come out."
"What is it?"
"It's not 'what'. It's 'who'. Sal… might have gone missing."
Noctis didn't realize his response coming. Underneath his unruffled exterior, panic slowly began to awaken from its short slumber. "What do you mean he's missing?"
"I mean just by that. Think about it, days before the conference, Sal was absent from school with no email or whatsoever informing us of his sudden disappearance. And while Celer and I were on our way to the hospital, I tried contacting Sal since we never bumped into him in the conference. But after texting him and calling him five times, not once did he reply or call back."
"Did Celer do anything to help?"
"He actually flooded his inbox," Lacertus shrugged. "We also contacted his relatives before we… eavesdropped on you."
"What did they say?"
Lowering his head, Lacertus shook his head sideways. "They even thought that Sal was staying in your place to study for the finals."
Noctis casted his gaze upon the moss green carpet of the hallway. Too much has happened too fast that he didn't bother about the people around him. Clenching a fist tightly, he felt quite sick for not knowing that a friend could possibly be in trouble somewhere.
"Let's go," Noctis swiftly walked past Lacertus.
"Whoa, whoa," His friend quickly blocked Noctis, pushing him gently backwards on his shoulders. "Where do you think you're going?"
"We're going to look for Sal," he replied, glaring straight into Lacertus' eyes.
"Wha?! Now?"
Noctis pushed himself a step forward. "Yes, now."
Using his brawny strength, Lacertus shoved him back into place. "Noct, I'm worried about our buddy too. But you're still in no condition to go looking for him at this moment."
Noctis felt Lacertus' firm grasp on his shoulders. He knew that his friend was right. His body needed some rest in order to cope up with the demands of tomorrow. Besides, how else could Noctis compete with Lacertus' muscularity?
Feeling that he wouldn't try to go anymore, Lacertus released his shoulders from his hold. "We'll begin our search for him tomorrow, alright Noct?"
"Yeah,"
"Get some rest, buddy."
"Do the same thing as well."
They bid each other 'good nights'. They part ways, the Prince stayed in his palace while the friend left for his house. Until dawn comes, they sleep. An unknown reward awaits the heir as the search for a very dear friend draws close.
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a/n: was this chapter alright? Please Review/Comment/Crticize!! THANK YOU!! :D
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*~REVIEW REPLIES~*
(28. Hospital Night)
Warangel88: Hey War, you get an 'A plus' actually. Lol. :) I'm really glad that you still remember a lot of things from the previous chapters. I tend to forget them sometimes so I had to recheck almost every chapter I published. *groan* I have twenty eight chapters and checking them... well, you know what that means. :P
Moonlight167: Yeah. Noctis and Stella do need to make up soon. But maybe not for now. There's still a lot of tension going on and making them forgive each other so quickly might make things quite sentimental, no? :)
Bmonti: MILK. MILK. MILK. :D lol. Sorry I couldn't put your request into the chapter. *cries* I tried to find a place for it but it eventually led me to putting the word, 'milk' here... And about the guy locked up, hehe, hope you're now happy. I never forgot about him. Its just that I try to organize the events in every chapter. :)
