Nyxia hardly slept at all by the time they arrived in Shirra. She was leaving behind her home that was lost to the shadows, and though she knew she would return in time, she also knew that Ardyn would be keeping the seat warm for her, and that bothered her more than anything.

How long would it take for him to discover that she had chosen their side and not his? How much more would he torment her for it?

He terrified her, as she knew he was capable of destroying anything and everything good in her life. He had done a good job of it so far, taking her family away from her. How many other lives had he ruined for his own gain?

He'd certainly made it hell for her friends that stood by her now, that was for sure. She felt angry, then, she felt this unsettling stir in her gut, like a whirlwind in her tummy. She had to be careful not to feed the daemons...

She was stirred away from her thoughts when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Come on," Gladio said, and it wasn't until then that she had realized the boat stopped moving. "Let's get some food."

She walked with him onto the docks, his hand still on her far shoulder. Shirra was almost nothing but an illuminated series of connected docks, all which made up a town of private rooms to rent and a few, small shops. At the very end was the restaurant, Oceana, a pavilion that was significantly taller than the bungalows that branched off from the docks.

Nyxia hadn't partaken in a good meal in a long time. When word reached their ears that dinner was on the house, they all went nuts - well, save for Ignis, who delicately ordered a Seaside Fettucini.

Everyone else partook in platters. No one would have guessed it upon first looking at Nyxia, but she was a big eater when she wanted to be, and when it came to good seafood, she couldn't help herself.

"I'm sorry to say it, but this might just have Mother of Pearl beat." Prompto had a mouthful of grilled shrimp as he confessed.

After finishing his meal, Ignis politely excused himself, and they all pretty much guessed he was going to locate Evelina. The worries of the world seemed to dissipate as they talked, laughed, and ate good food.

After thirty minutes that only felt like five, Ignis returned with three slips of paper. "Four rooms, four nights." He gave one to each of them, having already kept one for himself.

The bungalows built over the water were all designed in similarity, but Nyxia was in bliss as she stepped into her own. Each room was spaced out just enough to provide the guests privacy. The suitcase sat on the foot of the king-sized bed.

The bed she was apparently expected to sleep in alone.

She tried not to think much about it. Besides, maybe this vacation of sorts was meant to help push all that negativity out of her to keep the daemons at bay.

She got a text message from Prompto, who seemed as excited as a child.

This bed is the best!

After sending him back a laughing emoji, she closed the white curtains that served as the front door. The lights outside no longer seemed so bright, and she was able to change into a clean set of clothes without peering eyes.

Once she did, she took a step through the other doorway that was covered in drapes. Nyxia found herself standing on her own, personal deck with a couple of chairs and a table.

On the table was a menu for the restaurant, though immensely shrunken down to appetizers and drinks to be delivered to the room. All they needed was a phone call.

Nyxia entertained the idea of ordering herself some wine - something she hadn't really tried in a long time. Yet, she resisted. Alcohol, naturally, was not free of charge.

She knew it was bedtime, only because her cell phone told her it was a quarter past eleven. Not to mention, that humongous meal left her bloated and exhausted. She slept wonderfully that night, so deeply that she couldn't even recall dreaming.

The bed was so comfortable, she didn't even want to move from her spot when she heard the phone ringing. It was Gladio, and so she groggily answered it.

"Yeah?"

"Get up, sleepyhead. We're waiting on you."

"Huh? Where are we going?" She climbed out of the bed, lazily making her way to her suitcase to find a change of clothes.

"Just hurry up and meet us by the east gazebo."

"Okay, okay!" She hung up the phone, pulling on a simple change of black clothes. Instead of boots, she wore comfortable, running shoes with her black shorts. After all, the air actually felt a little warmer here in Shirra, and maybe if she found some time, she could jump in the water.

Too bad the sun wouldn't be out for a good while.

She went outside, following the dock path eastbound until she saw a gazebo in sight. She was sure that had to be the one he was talking about. However, as she got closer to it, she saw that Prompto and Ignis were nowhere to be seen. Gladio, however, was there, looking out over the clear waters with his arms crossed over his chest. Nyxia approached almost cautiously, as if she didn't really know what to do in this situation.

"Where are the others?" she asked, causing him to turn around and look at her.

"Just us two right now," he answered. "Got some breakfast, if you're hungry."

"Uh...sure." Nyxia helped herself to the fruit platter, nibbling at a strawberry. She wanted to ask if everything was okay, but instead, figured it was better to let him explain it at his own pace.

"Are you okay?" he asked her. She wasn't expecting him to ask first, but she supposed it was understandable. She had been through a lot.

"Yeah, I think so. Just kind of...weird."

He sat down on the round, cushioned bench that lined the gazebo. As he did, he patted the seat beside him. She sat down with him, unsure why being this close to him just made her feel safe. It used to be they were at each other's throats, but lately...

"What are you thinking right now?"

Way to put me in the spotlight, Gladio. Thanks. "Well... I'm feeling guilty. Like it was my fault that things escalated the way they did with Ardyn. And it's my fault that I'm losing what light I have left inside of me."

Gladiolus tapped his fingers on his lap for a moment, thinking over her words. "Well, you're not wrong." He paused, "But you're not completely right, either. He's good at what he does. He had me fooled, too."

"What do you mean?"

"Rubia served him, and she came to me when I was held captive." Somehow, Nyxia didn't like where this was going. "She disguised herself to look just like you, and...I almost gave in. Until I drove that sword through her heart."

Surprised to hear Gladio had killed the succubus, she looked away from him. "Ardyn isn't so easy to kill."

"Clearly. That's what it means to be immortal." He lifted her chin gently to look her in the eyes. "I don't blame you. None of us do. Sure, I'm jealous, but it's not like I expected to be the first man you slept with." Then, he grinned. "You just have bad taste."

"Hey." She pouted, chucking the strawberry at his face. "What does that say about you?" Gladio smirked, his strong arms scooping her up from the chair as he would threaten to throw her into the water. "Noooo!" she squeaked a giggle. "Don't you dare!"

But it was too late. Nyxia was tossed into the shallow water, which was a little cooler than she expected it to be. She squeaked and gasped as she came back up for air, watching as Gladio seemed to be helping himself to a bite of cantaloupe as he basked in his victory. She quietly maneuvered under the dock, waiting for when he would come back to the edge before she would yank him in by the ankles.

He yelped, both of them soaked down to their shoes as they resurfaced. "You crazy- argh!"

Nyxia was already making a swim for it back under the dock again, but he grabbed her by the back of her wet shirt. They were well-hidden beneath the gazebo, if they could manage to keep quiet, no one would ever know they were there.

Then, he kissed her fervently. Nyxia felt her breath catch in her lungs, and she melted in his arms as he pulled her in closer. Even in the cold water, she felt warm against him, and even moreso as the kiss would get hotter.

She moaned a little, then suddenly, she pulled away. Damnit... this wasn't helping her situation at all. She needed to be rid of this darkness, otherwise she would lose herself completely, and there would be no self-control.

"I can't... not yet. I don't want to hurt you..."

"Whatever you do to me, I can take it," he whispered against her chin. She bit her bottom lip, her body tightening in need. She wanted to give into it so badly. She wanted to feel him inside of her, to be spanked and pounded like he had done to her in the hotel.

And in turn, she wanted to tear her nails into his back, leave another couple of battle scars with a much more interesting story than the ones he already had.

"We should find the others," she growled, forcing herself to pull away from him. Perhaps she'd take him on that offer after she found a solution to her problem. Otherwise, she'd be another succubus walking Eos without remorse.