Hi Everyone! So I did have some more time to write and more or less keep up with the posting schedule I've been keeping myself on :-) I will stop saying I may not have time to write, since it seems that I cry wolf on that a lot. If I don't make my "normal" posting, it's likely because I didn't have time to write and will keep it at that. Anyways, thanks for the reads/feedback and let's keep this going, shall we?
The rushes of air were the only things that registered. Iris felt the world whizzing around her, then everything suddenly stopped, giving her the barest moment to realize that her surroundings had completely changed. However, before she could get her bearings, the air rushed again, taking her somewhere else. It was like she was being, warped. She was being held by somebody behind her, and she knew, instinctively, that it wasn't by Noctis. She didn't feel, safe for one thing. The arms, while strong, were not protective, but restraining instead. She jabbed her elbow sharply back, hitting her captor in the gut. She was rewarded with an "oof", and a sudden stop.
She took advantage of the sudden stop, lurching away from her captor, and started to run. She didn't want to see who was behind her. For now, escape was all that mattered. She did not get far. A few feet later she was subjected to the edge of a rooftop. She was on the roof of one of Insomnia's high rises.
"There is no easy escape, Iris," Ardyn taunted from behind her. Evidently whatever advantage she had had from her sudden move was lost.
She turned sharply to face him. Aside from rubbing his stomach where she had struck him, as though to rub the pain away, he was his normal smug self. He was staring down at her with genuine curiosity, as though he really wondered what she would do next.
"I suppose you could jump off the building if you really don't want to be in my clutches," Ardyn taunted. "Were I Ifrit, you could certainly be forgiven for that. However, if it makes you feel any better, my clutches are a bit, softer than his. Plummeting to your death would be overkill, in my humble opinion anyway."
She stared back at him. "Soft clutches are still clutches aren't they," she countered, voice hard.
He merely shrugged. "Suit yourself. If you think my mere presence is a fate worse than death, then by all means…" he gestured to the edge with a flourish.
She stared at it. It would only be a step or two up to the ledge, then one more step to…it was the same dilemma she had had before in the flame cage. She had been ready to end her life then. Should she do it now?
"The edge, and oblivion await you, my lady," Ardyn spoke dulcetly from behind her, voice smooth, dark. Was he trying to lure her to do just that?
She turned back. "If you wanted me dead, you would have done it already, not be trying to goad me into doing it. What is your game this time, Ardyn," she sneered.
"I see you've been taking lessons from Aranea regarding interrogation techniques," Ardyn replied. "I must say, she is a bit more, compelling with it than you are."
Iris ignored him. "I'm also Gladio's sister, and I already got you in the solar plexus. Would you prefer me to strike something more vulnerable next," she returned in sheer blustering bravado that would have made Gladio proud, after his initial protective response.
Ardyn looked at her in new respect. "I can see why the Infernian hates you so much," Ardyn replied smugly.
Her blood chilled at the mere mention of his name. "Is that why you brought me here? Do you plan on, taking me to him?"
"Ardyn merely smiled back impassively. "How do you know I wasn't trying to goad you into killing yourself? I don't like getting my own hands dirty if I don't have to, you know."
"You had no problem stabbing Luna in cold blood. You could have killed me long since if that's what you wanted. I will ask you again: are you planning on taking me to Ifrit?" She tried to ask the question boldly, but to her despair she heard the panic and desperation slipping through. And she knew he knew it.
"You would be a useful bargaining chip, to get me back into Ifrit's good graces," Ardyn replied, musingly.
"You'd be a fool if you think that would work," Iris countered. "He is vengeful, pure feral instinct now. He will take the offer, and then betray you."
"You are worried about me of all people being betrayed? Will wonders never cease," Ardyn commented dryly.
Iris bit her lip to keep silent. She had already said too much.
"As it happens, I have another idea for you," Ardyn finally replied. "As the Hydrean in her 'infinite wisdom' said, Ifrit must be lured to Altissia so she can engage him with her full powers. Ifrit knows how infinitely powerful she is there, and would never be foolish enough to go there of his own accord. Unless there is certain incentive for him to do so."
Iris stiffened. "You want to use me to lure him there," she said in a statement rather than question.
Ardyn nodded.
"How is that any better than just handing me over," she demanded.
"You are forgetting your stalwart defenders already," he taunted. "Between them and the Hydrean's wrath, you will have some safeguards in place. Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee your full safety. However, with great risk comes great reward."
"Even that risk is unacceptable," she blustered out. "You have no idea what he has done to me. What he has threatened me with."
Ardyn's face turned into a parody of gentleness, so close to genuine that it gave Iris pause for the barest moment.
"I can guess," Ardyn said, infusing as much understanding and commiseration in his tones as he could.
Iris found herself explaining. "He, forced a kiss from me, and has threatened much worse. If he gets me again, he will do worse." She broke off, uncomfortable that she had revealed so much of what had happened to him of all people. Even Luna had not heard about the kiss part, and Gladio had not heard anything except the threat in battle. Why was she telling Ardyn—the very man who would use this knowledge against her? He hadn't been appointed Imperial Chancellor for nothing, she told herself. He knew how to play the game-to get what he wanted from people with a few choice words, tones, and looks.
He was staring back impassively, no condemnation, no "is that all", no rage at Ifrit or her for any of it. "Ifrit will exterminate all humans with ruthless efficiency, however he can," he finally said. "For now he has chosen to use the crystal to do it. However, that is not what he wants to do. He wants to grind all humans under his boot heel, to do every hateful act he can think of against them. Since he can't do it to all humans, he has decided to pick just one to earn his full hatred. That someone is you."
"You mean, I'm a scapegoat? A lightning rod for all his hatred against humans," Iris replied in horror.
"Indeed. I don't know what you did, but you must have annoyed him greatly," Ardyn replied, deadpan.
"Annoyed" was the understatement of the decade. "But, he can't use the crystal anymore," Iris replied. "Even if he tears me apart, humanity will still stand."
Ardyn shook his head. "What do you think I meant when I said 'for now?' He set off the Starscourge 2000 years ago in an attempt to destroy us. The prevailing theory at that time was Ifrit could be appeased and fall back. He decided to try again using the crystal. While he cannot use the crystal this time, he will come up with something else, as he did before. If nothing else, he will wait for someone else to be able to use the crystal and try to manipulate them as he attempted to do to Lux. But it may be in another 2000 years, you all will be safe, in the short term anyway." he concluded mockingly.
Iris was not appeased. "So, you're saying it's an endless cycle? That even if he tears me to ribbons, humanity would still be in danger."
"Mmm hmm," was all Ardyn said.
Iris did the math in her head, and thought out loud. "So, the only way we can stop Ifrit is to kill him, forever. And only Leviathan can do that. And she needs to do it from Altissia. And we need to get Ifrit to Altissia."
"And you are the only thing that saps his reason and stirs his lust for blood, among other things," Ardyn replied, making her feel dirty. "You are the only thing that can get him there without thinking of the consequences."
"Then, why carry me off? You could have explained this to the others. We could have worked together."
Ardyn smirked. "Do you really think your brother would have allowed it? Or Ravus Nox Fleuret? They would have been bound to stop me, and we have little time to be arguing about it. In fact, I am wasting time explaining myself now. However, I'd rather explain to you and obtain your cooperation than have to have you 'incapacitated' the whole way."
It was on the tip of Iris's tongue to ask why he thought she would ever cooperate, but she kept silent, knowing that he was right. There was no other option. And if she could be the lure to get Ifrit to Leviathan's waiting lethal fins while keeping the others out of it, then it would all be worth it. "What is it you want me to do," she finally said, never thinking for a million years that she would have to say something like that to Ardyn of all people.
Ardyn smiled in satisfaction. "Merely follow my directions without question or resistance. And in return I shall do my utmost to ensure the Infernian does not reach you. And furthermore, while you are in my custody, I shall treat you with the utmost care."
There seemed to be no way out of this, and Ardyn had given her more assurances than she expected. There was no choice.
"Ok," was all she said.
"Your hand on it," Ardyn demanded.
Iris held out her hand, hesitantly, just for Ardyn to take it in a firm clasp. "We have an accord then, Iris Amicitia," Ardyn replied smoothly. "I knew we could come to terms. And you may be sure I will hold you to your side of the bargain."
Iris merely nodded, feeling like she had made a deal with the devil.
"It stinks down here," Lux complained after noisy sniffing.
"Tell me something I don't know," Aranea countered. She never ever wanted to see a sewer again as long as she lived, but that bastard of an Ardyn was forcing her to.
Ignis was ranging ahead, scanning the ground for muddy (or worse) footprints, or marks on the walls indicating someone had come through this way. So far, there was nothing.
"Maybe we are in the wrong place," Aranea finally said in despair. "If they came this way, I think we would have seen something by now. Iris wouldn't have gone with him without a fight, and knowing her, she would have left some kind of trail."
"I believe you are right," Ignis replied. "I cannot see Iris going with him willingly."
"You don't think this, Ardyn guy, will hurt her, do you," Lux asked in horror. "I mean, he was, nice to me. He couldn't hurt her. Could he?"
Aranea didn't want to reveal her fears to Lux, but she didn't want to lie to him either. "Ardyn only helped you because it suited him. While I am glad he did, he only did it for his own agenda. I do not know if he will hurt Iris, but her being with him is not a good thing, by any means."
Lux's shoulders slumped. "If we don't find her here, what do we do next," he asked.
Aranea looked to Ignis. "I say we follow the secret passage down here to the Citadel. Then we do a brief sweep of the Citadel and see if we see any sign of him. He'd be the type to take Iris back to the throne room and then just sit there laughing at us."
"We could try that," Ignis replied. "However, Ifrit did damage quite a bit of the Citadel. It may be too dangerous to enter."
"Was the throne room in the wing Ifrit messed with," she asked.
Ignis pondered a moment. "No. That was the Domestic Ministers's wing if I'm not mistaken," he said. "As you know the building is 'Y' shaped. One wing is the Domestic Ministers's wing, the second is the Defense wing, and the third is the Royal wing. The throne room is in the Royal wing," Ignis explained.
"Were your quarters in the Defense wing," Aranea asked in genuine curiosity.
"Technically, yes. However, I spent most of my time in the Royal wing. Noct actually let me use the Royal kitchen to perfect my new recipes. Plus sleeping on one of the Royal wing sofas was a more convenient location from which to defend Noct from any threats than sleeping in the Defense wing was."
Aranea merely smirked. She figured the only 'defending' Ignis had had to do in the past was to crash on the nearest sofa to Noctis's quarters after carousing with him, Gladio, and Prompto late into the night. However, she kept her opinions to herself.
"So, you are Noctis's bodyguard," Lux asked him in interest.
"Well, technically I am Noct's advisor and majordomo. However, I was, am, a member of the Crownsguard, so I suppose you could say I am also a bodyguard," Ignis replied dryly.
Lux stared at Ignis in fascination. "That is so cool! Do you like, know how to snap necks and nonchalantly walk away from an explosion like a total badass," Lux asked in grisly fascination.
Aranea looked to Lux in surprise. "You've seen action movies," she asked in amusement.
"Yeah! I found a pile of DVD's in the tv room. That's how I spent my time when I wasn't studying," Lux replied.
"I, trust it was just action films you found and watched," Ignis asked sharply.
Lux looked totally blank. "Yeah. I mean, what else should there have been?"
Ignis shrugged dismissively. "No matter," was all he said.
Luckily Lux did not press it.
Aranea did though, under her breath after Lux wandered ahead a bit, humming to himself to the point where it would be hard for him to overhear them.
"Don't tell me you have a collection of sleazy smut he could have found," she whispered to Ignis in disgust.
"Of course I don't," he whispered back defensively. "However, other Citadel residents do."
"Gladio," Aranea muttered, disgusted, but not surprised.
"I said 'other Citadel residents'. I did not name anyone specific," Ignis replied, refusing to rat out the perp no matter how much Aranea pestered.
"With how protective you are about it, I'm beginning to think it is you," she finally taunted.
Ignis sighed. "That is not my thing."
"Sure it isn't," Aranea said, still taunting.
"I'd be inclined to show you firsthand what my 'thing' is. However, now is not the time and place," Ignis replied, a dark velvet suggestion in his tone.
As a way to end an argument, it was an effective one. Aranea dropped the subject immediately, doing her best to conceal a (probably) full body blush.
They reached the gap to the torture room.
Ignis looked up at the hole that was too tall to jump through. "Aranea, can I ask you to give me a boost," he asked calmly.
In way of response, she cupped her hands for him to place one foot in. With a push, she was able to get him just high enough to grab the edge of the hole. With arm strength she didn't realize he had, he pulled himself in, then was leaning back through the gap to give her and Lux a hand.
"Move aside. I've got this," Aranea said, then turned to Lux. "I can get you up there if you hold onto me," she said. "Or you can let Ignis pull you up if you prefer."
"I'll go with you, if that's ok," Lux replied.
"Ok," Aranea replied, putting her arms around him in a tight hold, then doing a dragoon leap up. She landed with the same grace as she had before, Lux still securely in her arms.
"Are you allright," Ignis asked Lux in concern.
"Yeah," Lux squeaked, evidently frightened by the fast jump but not wanting to admit it. Then he was looking around at the torture chamber.
"I don't like this room," was all he said.
"Me neither," Aranea said. "Let's go."
The way to the throne room led them through the portrait gallery. Lux stopped at the picture of Ardyn on the chocobo.
"Is it, true what Ifrit said? Is he, my dad," Lux asked hesitantly, pointing at the portrait.
Aranea sighed. Lux really was asking some difficult questions today. Again, she didn't want to lie to him. But could she really tell him the truth—that he was part daemon, part Ardyn, part her; and was grown in a test tube? She couldn't tell a kid a thing like that. It would hurt him.
Ignis intervened.
"What exactly did Ifrit tell you," Ignis asked coolly, gently.
"He, said I was spawned from daemons, and that Ardyn is my father. He said I was fated to destroy the world. I—don't want to," he added desperately. "But I, did some bad things. I dunno. Maybe he is right. Maybe I—"
Aranea knelt down to be at his level. "Lux, whatever Ifrit told you, you are not 'fated' to do anything. Whatever choices you make, good or bad, are yours to make. Ifrit was, right in that you have some daemon and Ardyn within you. However, there is also some of me too."
Lux stared at her wide-eyed.
Aranea continued, hesitantly. "I, wish I could say you had a 'normal' childhood, with parents who watched you grow up, and protected you. But, I did not know you. Neither did Ardyn, for what it's worth. The Empire—mashed our genes together with some, well, daemons, and created you. All these years, you were alone and I did not know you existed. I, should have been there for you. I, know it's too little too late, but I am here for you now, if you want me." She stared back at him, face tight, bracing herself for she knew not what. Anger, recriminations, a daemonic breakdown. She wasn't sure.
She looked to Ignis, standing close beside her for support. He stayed silent, but she could tell he was with her, and would be there for her no matter what happened next.
"You're saying, you're my, mother," Lux replied awestruck.
This was the last thing she expected to hear, but simply shrugged. "In short, yes," she finally said. "And, Ardyn is your father." There, despite the revulsion at the thought, she had admitted it. It was too complicated to say who Lux really was. All that mattered was that he had "human" parents somewhere in the mix. She would have preferred that the other 'human' parent not be Ardyn, but that was the hand she was dealt.
Lux grinned. "I have parents," he chortled with glee. "And, I'm not Noctis's son. I don't have to be a king! This is so awesome!"
Aranea laughed, part in relief, part in hysteria. "That's true," she finally said.
Even Ignis smirked. "I imagine Noct would be quite relieved to know he doesn't have a son either. He's not ready to be a father yet, I think," he said dryly.
Lux sobered. "But then, this weird Ardyn guy is my father," he said. "This picture says it's from 2000 years ago. Why does he look like the guy in the picture," he demanded.
Ignis fielded this one. "Ardyn was granted some, unique, powers from the crystal that extended his lifespan quite a bit. He is the man in this portrait. He has lived for the past 2000 years."
"Woah! So, my dad can talk to the crystal too. And is 2000 years old," Lux asked excitedly.
Ignis looked at him, uncertain of the boy's reaction. "Basically yes," he replied cautiously.
Lux thought for a moment. "He seems creepy. Can I maybe, pretend he's not my dad?" He looked to Ignis. "You seem like a cooler dad than him. Can I pretend that, you're my dad?"
Aranea and Ignis looked at each other, each with a blush on their faces. Aranea could just stare back at Ignis helplessly at Lux's artless question.
"Well, I—never thought of myself in that type of role before," Ignis replied, flustered. "However, I must admit it is flattering to be considered 'cooler' than an immortal with a connection to the crystal. I suppose if it makes you feel better to think of me in a parental role over Ardyn, I suppose it is all right," he finally added. "And for what it's worth I do have a certain 'affection' for your, er, mother, so it makes sense I suppose."
Aranea's gaze softened as she regarded Ignis. Her heart was in her eyes. Ignis had never seen her so 'feminine' before. He was sure she would hate it if he said that, but it was true. Aranea had a softer side that she had demonstrated with Lux and with him. His kiss before had been interrupted, he realized. There was a brief lull in the battle. Maybe he could…
He shook it off. Their priority was Iris. And besides, it may make Lux uncomfortable. There would be time later, he told himself. He would make sure of it. Ten years of mutual platonic affection was enough. It was time to take things to the next level. One way or another, he would make his most improper dreams with Aranea a reality.