Titan is here. And there's one thing about this encounter that I had planned since the beginning of the fic… and I really don't know how you'll react to it. But believe me when everything that happens here happens for a reason. Except the fluff. Fluff doesn't need justification, right?
We have one royal arm, one Titan, a guest Astral, NoctLuna and a few surprises with the rest of the team. 😉
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Unexpected
Chapter 39 – Can you hear them calling your name?
The trio slept in a resting post on the way, Noctis and Luna making small talk with their driver, before the Oracle insisted again about learning how to drive. She wanted to make her part and the guys agreed that they would give her lessons as soon as things calmed down. In the morning, they drove up to the meteor site, which was usually under imperial control, but Cor's men and Monica's hunters had gotten through their security while Noctis was running all over the country. The disc was back in Lucian's hands.
"The terrain is a bit uneven inside, it might be better to leave your car by the gates, your highness." Dave cautioned them.
"I guess we can walk the rest of the way. Still nothing, Luna?"
She shook her head, looking a bit more alarmed as they kept on nearing Titan. This silence was starting to feel ominous. Noctis led the way, Luna staying by his side and Gladiolus kept an eye out for danger, right on their heels. The crater where the Meteor had crashed was warmer than the rest of the country, the temperature rising the further they went. Dave had warned them that the disc had been burning for the last month. And as they followed the trek diving down between ragged cliff, Luna felt a sudden pressure on her mind. She missed a step and called her trident without thinking to catch herself.
"What's wrong?" Noctis asked her.
I'm sick of their lies!
Luna brought one hand to her forehead, her breathing heavier.
"I don't understand. An Astral is nearby. But it's not…"
Gladio frowned and Noctis looked ready to escort her back, hating the pain he saw etched in every line on her pale face.
"It just took me by surprise. It was a lot louder than the usual voices too. But I think we shouldn't postpone this."
Clever oracle.
Noctis heard it this time, the rocky whisper that seemed to echo inside his head.
"Was that it?"
Luna shook her head the negative.
"That was Titan. The other one was different."
The young prince wished he could hear each and every of them, but he simply made a prayer for Titan and whichever other Astral that was here to let him pay the toll this time. Or that they'd at least share it between the two of them.
Wishful man. Hurry before their shadows reach us.
There was no time to waste apparently.
"Who's he talking about?"
"Could you two stop talking as though I wasn't there? I can't hear either of your Astrals, but I'd like to know what's going on." Gladiolus butted in.
"Oh… It's not clear…" Luna started.
"Nothing new yet." The Shield insisted.
"We're going to have company according to Titan. And I don't think it's the second Astral Luna has been hearing. Let's hurry." Noctis commanded.
The dirt path twisted and dove deeper in the crater, leading them down a slope that turned into a disc of earth overlooking the Meteor and its bearer. Titan owed his name, standing almost as tall as the Citadel as he crouched under the burden he carried. The legends said that Titan was both the giant who'd raised from the ground and the meteor that had come crashing down. Sometimes, people pretended he'd move or roll his shoulders to ease off the stiffness, but Noctis knew better. The thing had come down here with two goals in mind. Keeping an eye on the Lucian line and waiting for the chosen king. The Astrals had had one champion among the humans, a champion who made the bridge between their infinite powers and Eos physical realm. And that person was supposed to be him.
Much to their surprise, a coffin was lying by the very ledge of the natural balcony.
"Is that…?"
Noctis recognized the gravures as the blade of the Mystic. How it even got here seemed too far-fetched to ponder and he exchanged a brief look with Luna before to walk up to the thing and kneel in front of the slightly damaged coffin. He touched the blade without hesitation. The Mystic had forged two covenants during his own existence, researching magic and Eos' cosmology far more than any king of the past. The face in the stone had been erased by time and erosion, leaving behind the creepy pretense of a human being.
And while a new blurry weapon surged through the air and stabbed him in the heart, Noctis heard their voices.
Caelum, Caelum, chosen king, Caelum.
The litany went on, the voices superposing and rushing through his ears. Some syllables were almost distorted and started mixing together, until a booming voice shushed all the others.
You've collected one half of them, but you twisted the rules. Splitting the covenants between the oracle and yourself.
Any protest he wanted to express died in the back of his throat as the pressure on his skull turned intolerable.
What is this about twisting rules? Titan asked. Did Ramuh and Shiva really mess things up?
Mistake or not, this breach in the teachings of Etro has no precedent.
"What's… Etro have to do with this?" Noctis managed through his clenched teeth.
As much as she wanted to support him, Luna was thrown to the ground from a sudden quake that made the whole disc area groan in protest. Titan was rousing, the Meteor rising in the air.
Etro created this world and every last one of us. The Scourge is a…
Don't make me laugh! Etro never cared for her creation. She created countless lives to collect them right back.
Noctis didn't recognize the voice, but it sounded sharp like a snake's tongue and Luna yelped from the pain. Gladiolus pulled Noctis back from the ledge, dragging him by his collar, only able to see Titan's suddenly moving and registering that the temperature had risen even more, reaching unbearable levels.
Of course, the fallen god would say so! Caelum, don't stray from our path. If you think the sacrifices we ask are a harsh price, think of every king and queen that came before you.
"Fallen…?" he repeated.
But he was doing as asked and ordered, which made any sort of reprimand useless. Or was he still wrong? Was collecting the royal arm and forging the covenants not enough? His thoughts had trouble aligning as the concert of voices insisted.
Caelum, you must retrieve… Us. Caelum. Us. Caelum. Crys… Caelum.
Why couldn't they make sense?!
"Noctis, snap out of it!" Gladiolus called out.
Luna gasped from pain as Titan spoke once more.
Have you come for me, or those little kings?! My patience is running thin.
"So is mine," the oracle retorted.
It wasn't easy to have a good grasp on the situation and every member of the trio wished for far more control. But Noctis shook his head, seemingly regaining contact with reality.
"Why is it so hot around here? I thought Titan controlled earth…" He observed.
"You mentioned a fallen… Could it be Ifrit?"
Gladiolus paled slightly.
"Two belligerent Astrals for the price of one? Sounds like fun."
They might have done better to bring more hands on deck.
…
"Cauthess? We lost a garrison recently back there…" Ace sighed.
"Just follow the coordinates I gave you and stick to the plan. With luck, you might be able to test that new weapon," the chancellor told him.
The young man looked down to his wristband on his arm, where a dark stone had been attached. The final step was to have it grafted under his skin. He wanted to test it first to be sure the sacrifice was worth it. Ardyn had proposed an armour similar to Glauca, but the white tones the empire etched in everything made Drautos feel queasy. He preferred dark clothes and would get a black armour. He wouldn't simply be his father's replica if he could help it.
"We're taking on a god." He muttered.
"Temporarily immobilizing him." Ardyn corrected. "We'll simply talk, like civilized people."
"It's still a god…"
"I know. But the gods needed us men. That has to mean something."
…
Luna had insisted that Titan wouldn't calm down until they stood close enough to touch him. The covenant usually implied a discussion with the concerned Astral, something she only did with Ramuh. Her prayers had been answered and she'd learned from Gentiana a lot about arguing a cause. Whether Titan was getting ready for a fight or for a serious talk, he was moving around and causing a lot of quakes. They'd gotten down the ledge, careful of every step, although Noctis kept on walking faster, which had Luna rushing to keep up or Gladiolus pulling the prince back, warning him about the shifting ground.
"Don't go tripping on your feet."
"What am I, a child?"
"I know you're angsty to be done with this covenant thing, but if you fall to your de…"
"I'll call the armiger and fly the way down. Actually, we should just do that. I can carry you down first and then Luna."
The lady on the team frowned almost as much as the prince's shield. Something was definitely up with Noctis and she needed to know what. Gladio was faster, ready to put some sense back into the young man.
"Carry me down?! Why don't you save your strength for that guy?" he pointed out the Astral standing further down the crater.
Getting each and every royal arm seemed to have an effect on him. Or could it be the aftermath of aging two years in such a short amount of time? The vapours in the air and melting rocks didn't help with anyone's temper. Luna grabbed her fiancé's hand, squeezing his fingers as the earth trembled beneath them. He was standing right next to her, but his eyes seemed distant, the blue ready to shift to red.
Stay with me, she thought with all of her strength.
And since it was for her that he worried so much, because of her safety that he felt rushed, Noctis agreed to walk down the trek instead of flying. They were as careful as possible, Luna only talking to answer Titan's few questions. Because the giant being talked, his voice drumming inside both royals' skull. The second Astral had gone back to silence, but the oracle felt him in the furious heat everywhere around her, in the flames that licked the rocks and the blurriness of the path she tried to see. They trekked through the scars dug into the planet by the meteor. Star pieces. Titan's soul. So many names and legends that were all wrong.
What do you know of us, speaker of the human kind?
"Not enough yet. But we're willing to learn."
Whenever Luna answered the Astral, neither Noctis nor Gladio understood the words she spoke. It was as though another language was coming off her lips. Her eyes were more gold than blue by the time they reached the centre of the crater. And Titan stirred, sending more dust and dirt on their head. Noctis coughed, covering his face and Luna summoned her trident. Gladiolus stood back, sword held out, feeling useless. This sort of mystical ordeal was way beyond any training he'd been through.
Shiva is with you, daughter of Tenebrae, but Ramuh has sided with the Lucian King. Which means I can choose the one I deem worthy of my strength.
"And how does he decide that?"
Noctis was starting to feel sick of the tolls asked left and right. Lunafreya worried her lower lip, getting the same impression of helplessness as her lover.
"Whatever test you have in mind, he's worthy." She declared.
Love may blind you, oracle. I shall test you both. In body and mind.
Titan didn't wait any longer to balance the meteor against his neck, freeing his left arm to strike. Noctis pushed Luna to the side without thinking and stopped the blow, barely managing a parry. He didn't dare to take out his armiger here, not with the woman he loved so close. He usually didn't use it with any of his comrades nearby and blamed himself for not training more. As though he'd had the time to do so with everything going on!
The gigantic fist moved faster than physics allowed, swiping the air, having them cowering like flies.
"How are you guys supposed to…?" Gladio started, interrupted by a nth quake beneath their feet.
"I think he wants to see how long we can hold our own against him." Luna answered.
It was the only logical outcome since the giant's skin was far too strong to be chipped with either of the weapons they carried. But how long would the test last? Noctis blocked another attack, a smaller crater digging itself under him from the cheer strength of the blow. How could his arms hold? How could he strike back? Lunafreya backed away to stand next to the king's shield.
"Do you think you can throw me at him?" came her question.
"What?!"
"So that I could grab on his hand. I can't reach him on my own, but I'm sure my trident will work once I'm close enough."
"Luna, that thing is colossal."
They covered their eyes as a new waft of dirt hit them, Gladiolus blinking the dust away.
"I might be able when he swings, but the velocity and…"
"Just try it. I need to support Noctis in any way I can and he doesn't need healing right now," she insisted.
Gladiolus let go of his sword, lifting the princess in one swoop. Launching people wasn't usual, but he had tremendous strength. Except he knew what would happen to him if Noctis' precious fiancée came to harm by his fault. The woman was lighter than he'd thought.
"Don't go falling and breaking your neck." He warned as he gathered speed and strength, timing his shot.
Noctis dove to the left, his arms needing some sort of reprieve from all the shocks. His bones seemed to be jumping in their sockets, his shoulders and elbows begging for mercy. As he rolled on himself, Luna soared into the air, her trident striking Titan's wrist. The three spikes plunged deep into the stony flesh. All she could do was hang on as the Astral took another swing at the chosen king, his angry roar making it hard to breathe. Wind rushed all around her. But she held on. And as her heart hammered in her chest, she twisted her spine and stood on the giant fist, her magic deployed as a cushion, covering her skin with light. Her trident hit to break, no matter how small the marks she left behind. She had her own strength and wouldn't be content with defending herself this time.
Noctis didn't stay idle, calling his armiger once more and warped into the air, right after her. Titan's face cracked into a hideous smile. As though this was the show of prowess he'd been hoping for. Gladiolus gathered his sword, wondering what he could do more. Was he supposed to stand by the sideline? It was their covenant. How could one protect godlike humans? Did they even need protection at this stage? His prince moved so fast, all he could perceive of him was a blue streak warping everywhere, leaving silver craters on the giant's skin. Luna kept her balance, either using her trident to stay on Titan, or walking over his arm to strike a new vein. For an instant, the Shield wondered if Prompto would have been able to snap a picture of this incredible vision. Then the ground shook again and the heat was burning his lungs once more, debris of rock flesh showering him. Bruises and cuts all over his body that he could barely feel.
Maybe I should just take cover while…
Titan moved faster, his fist coming down for him and Luna slipped. Gladio's mind analyzed everything like he'd been taught too. Potential outcomes, where the Astral's punch would hit, where the princess would drop. Noctis was too high up. Gladiolus' legs moved quicker than his head. He'd launched her up there, he might as well catch her.
Luna let go of her trident, the weapon vanishing into the air, the gold in her eyes turning back to blue. The landing was rough, the Oracle crashing into the Amicitia man, who mostly served to cushion her fall. She heard something crack and apologized through huffed breaths.
"I'll fix you, then you can throw me back."
"Are you kidding me?!"
What was up with those royals?
Let me see what's on your mind.
The intrusion was like hitting a charging Anak for Noctis, his armiger failing him two seconds, maybe five, which send him falling. He called the swords back, his thoughts running wild.
I want her safe. I need more power. I need my country safe. All those people back in Insomnia…
Can't you focus at all?! The astral snarled.
He slapped the chosen king with the back of his hand, sending him hurling back. Noctis remained in the air with a tremendous effort, breathing hard, his energy absorbed by the Astral. His eyes flickered from blue to red, the royal arms barely staying solid around him.
Back on the ground, Luna gasped, feeling Titan pulling at her life force too.
What is that you want, daughter of Tenebrae?
There was only one thought in her mind, her soul speaking out, loud and clear.
The power to help him.
The Archaean stopped moving, his right eyes closing. More stone fell down, Noctis following suit, collapsing on one knee but keeping one of his royal arms out.
I heard both of your wishes. And I shall take both of your shares. But I can only follow one of you.
Lunafreya got to her feet with Gladio's help, walking up to Noctis, only to feel the tugs grow even stronger. The voice in their head didn't hurt as much, but it was impossible to stay upright to face him.
For each covenant, there was a price, and shared or not, the toll was tremendous pain. A human body wasn't made to welcome god's powers. Luna couldn't breathe, even though her nostrils flared and her mouth hung open. She was gasping and grasping desperately for some oxygen. Noctis' hand clutched at his heart. It seemed ready to burst out of his chest. This was nothing like Ramuh's test. Gladio clenched his fists at the horrifying sight. Luna's veins were visible through her skin and Noctis was twisting and shaking from head to toes. It only lasted for a minute, but it was downright torture for their bodyguard. There was nothing he could do but bear with it. Luna's struggling breaths preceded Noctis' whine as the pressure suddenly released. Titan's physical body was fading, limb by limb, stone by stone. And the legends saying the meteor was a part of him must have been wrong. Because the meteor was coming down!
"You gotta be kidding!" Gladiolus groaned, grabbing Luna under one arm and shoving Noctis without ceremony on his shoulder.
They were both weakened and didn't even protest as he rushed off the crater. One jump and they were back on the trek. He didn't watch his steps, not caring if his boots turned scalding hot from the burning stones. The meteor was falling and although it was only from two miles or three, he wanted them all as far as possible before that thing made contact. Eos sounded really quiet for an instant, the crater waiting for the new quake, the deeper scar etched in its skin. And over the sound of his feet and their three raspy or frightened breathing, Gladiolus heard engines. Above their heads.
"Dammit!"
One glance up and he saw a dozen dropships, accompanied by a dreadnought. Which meant a general was here...
"Put me down, Gladdy… I can take them!" Noctis asked, his voice hoarse and weak.
"Don't listen to…" Luna coughed from under his arm, her hands reaching for his knee.
She wanted to stabilize herself somehow.
"I know princess. Just let me do my job." He almost snapped at her.
If he was angry with anyone, it was himself. How could he even think that forging a covenant with that thing would be easy?! Noctis believing it was one thing, but he was supposed to make contingency plans, he was supposed to listen when Ignis voiced concerns. They'd been through so many easy fights lately. Taking out the Prima the other day had looked like a piece of cake. He pushed the angry thoughts aside and spotted a small opening in the cliff on his right. He phased his head and neck inside, before to squeeze both royals in the cavity, pushing two elixirs in their hands.
"I'll look for a way out, stay quiet until I'm back." He ordered them.
Noctis tried to oppose, but Gladiolus retorted by hacking down an enormous stone and shoving it in front of the opening, effectively hiding them to the outside world. Luna's fingers struggled with the bottle in her hands. The rocks around them were too warm for comfort and she prayed for a fresh breeze, to which Shiva answered almost instantly.
"Noct?" she asked.
Fumbling around, the prince lighted his flash light, heaving a deep sigh.
"You okay?"
"Can't say yet."
She managed to open the damn bottle and chug down the elixir, droplets falling down her chin and neck. It was bitter and sweet and when she blinked, she could have sworn there were spots of colors beneath her eyelids. Had she hit her head somewhere? Noctis' hands looked for her in the dark, the light flickering on his chest. The glass had cracked during the fight. It was a miracle it hadn't happened before. When his hands touched her waist, she jumped. Was she that nervous?
"He chose you, didn't he?"
Lunafreya was surprised to hear something close to bitterness in his voice.
"I didn't mean…"
He tugged at her clothes before to shift closer to her, pulling her jacket open to look for her pulse. His hands were shaking and she wrapped her arms around his neck, every move awaking a dozen aches and sores for them both.
"They hurt you more when they go with you," he told her. "I could hear you… If it gets worse with every new covenant,we make… And you were supposed to endure it alone?"
She wished he wouldn't linger on the past like that, but he was hurt and under shock. She felt fresh energy settling in her limbs thanks to the medicine and noticed the bottle sitting in his lap.
"You should take your elixir."
More fumbling and a few gulps later, Noctis was sitting a bit straighter, but his eyes still shone with worries.
"You shouldn't make such a big deal of it. Unless you're ready to tell me what's eating you up. You were spacing out after collecting that blade."
Another sigh, and his hands felt a bit more possessive on her, brushing her neck, running all over her back. Following the curve of one hip, down her thigh. His nose brushed against her collarbone. His breath felt warm on her skin. She stroked his hair, straightening a few knots to massage his scalp. Accepted to sit closer to him and slipped one hand under his shirt to splay her fingers over his heart. It was beating so fast, almost too fast.
"Noctis, please. Talk to me."
They want you to die, Luna. They want me to lose you too.
The words that came out were different, slurred here and there.
"Since Balouve Mines, when I collect a new royal arm, I hear voices. My ancestors… At least I think. It gets really confusing. They usually talk like five or six at the same time, I can't even tell…"
I can't tell you.
"It's okay, Noct. I've been hearing weird voices for some time, believe me."
With all the prayers and the covenants. But he wasn't worried she'd think him crazy.
"They're rushing me even more, Luna. It's as though the empire could do something with the crystal, but it doesn't make sense. I mean… Only my line can..."
"Stop it. I know you're under pressure, I know the stakes are high. But you can't worry about things you can't control. You have the Lucii ring. We've got 3 Astrals on our side now."
He wondered if he shouldn't worry about Gladiolus out there, but the fact the man had started using his phasing powers a bit more reassured him. He would put their safety first and that meant keeping himself alive. His Shield was bright enough to know that.
"You really think Ifrit is hanging around here?" he asked, deciding to change subject.
"Yes, but I don't think it's a good idea to try and forge another covenant right away though. Titan's toll was harsh. For an instant, it felt as though poison…"
"…was running through your veins? It burned me too."
A shiver ran through her. He was already suffering enough from the royal arms he had to collect. Shots could be heard outside, orders and the shifting of metal. The ships were landing. The imperials had to know the prince was nearby. The Archaean was suddenly gone. People must have seen the meteor falling all the way from Lestallum. And here they were, both responsible, holding tight on each other as they hid like animals in a small cave.
"Are you better yet?" Noctis asked her.
She heard the restlessness in his voice. The urge to go out and support Gladio. The man was too tall and large to sneak around a full regimen of Magiteck soldiers. She was just as worried, but it was still hard to breathe every now and then. Too much dirt in her lungs. She stifled a cough, her hand still hovering above his heart.
"I'll be better when we are far away from here. And when you'll have a chance to relax more than 10 hours."
"What about you? You barely got any rest with Cid and your brother needing help right afterward."
"What can I say. We're in demand. I try to see it as a compliment."
But it was heavy on her shoulders too. Noctis kissed the top of her head, wondering if they could ever be free from those never-ending responsibilities.
"That trick you pulled off earlier. Getting thrown at him by Gladio. Man… If you want to fly, you should ask me for a ride. I'm sure that with some practice, we can manage something less dangerous."
"Something implying to walk on your weapons?" she deduced.
They laughed despite the gravity of the situation. There was something surreal about it all, but they had already crossed many limits. It seemed normal for Noctis to talk about flying now and Lunafreya had proved to him and mostly to herself that she could do considerable damage in a battle. The last oracle who had seriously fought with her powers had died centuries ago.
"As strong as we've gotten, Gladio still had to save our hides."
"In a pretty undignified manner. But he's going to need as much of a break as us. I hope the others are doing okay…" Noctis sighed.
Luna mourned the smile he'd been wearing earlier, as they'd taken the road. His blue eyes were dark, filled with sorrow and gloom. And she knew her eyes were most certainly looking the same. He'd barely talked of his encounter with the Prima pilot. Luna couldn't help but wonder if it was because he resented some of the actions he'd been forced to take. Or worse, if he was already apprehending the next attackers. He couldn't live in constant fear. She had tried for years and all it had gotten her was an angry heart and one even angrier brother.
"Don't think too far ahead. Be with me, here and now, Noct."
He swallowed, unsure of how he could rid himself of the tension accumulated in his body. He wanted to shelter her from any more pain. He wanted to be rid of the empire once and for all. But all those wishes were the very reason why Titan had chosen Luna instead of him. He was unfocused, fleeting from one task to the next.
His throat felt dry as he realized the reason why might be his fear of falling to pieces if he was to stop for too long. Moving forward didn't give him time to process anything, at least not fully.
"I'm here, Luna."
"Not entirely. Your mind is in a million places."
"My mind, maybe. But my heart is here."
The sweet words erased some of her fears. They shared one brief, chaste kiss, just to confirm they were both here, both still alive and somehow human despite the feats they'd managed so far. Movement behind them had Noctis scrambling to his feet, which resulted in his head hitting the natural ceiling of the thin cave.
"Easy there, kids." Gladio told them, apparently coming out of nowhere. "I've found a path… with a lot of phasing. The Nifs are collecting fragments of the meteor, but there's one guy looking for trouble. So we've got two choices. We sneak back out and check on the hunters. They were supposed to be at the gate and there was no sign of an attack yet, but they might lack the numbers to riposte to this invasion."
"I don't know how much I like that option." Noctis replied almost instantly.
No need to think it over. It was as though he had a bloodlust towards anything imperial.
"Second choice," Gladio went on. "We follow trouble guy to see what he's up to. I vote for option one."
"Me too." Luna said.
"Wait, wait, what is trouble guy doing?!" Noctis pointed out. "How many MTs are even out there?"
"About 150. You're going to tell me you have a spell to get rid of that many metal dolls?"
"With all the fire shards around? Yes!"
"Noctis, I think we've already accomplished a lot." Luna reminded him.
"Well, can't I veto your votes, since I'm the king here?"
"You might get through those MTs, but what about that second Astral? You were ready to topple over an elixir ago, Noct," the oracle warned.
"I can't just… run away guys."
This time, his voice cracked a bit and Luna felt the light tremble in his frame. He didn't want to stay, but he felt forced to do so, since it was the only way to hold up his duty as king of Lucis.
"Gladiolus… Did you see anyone else important around? Anything that could help us shed some light on what their goal could be." Luna inquired.
"The chancellor is supervising the work." He admitted.
The princess tensed at the news, but felt her resolve growing stronger.
"Well then, we absolutely can't leave," she declared. "We must know what he's after."
The night would fall soon, which might slow down the Niffs and make sneaking around to spy on them easier. But Gladio still thought they could use more manpower for this kind of mission.
"Alright. Let's see how well we can emulate Iggy's strats."
…
Crowe had insisted for Iris to drive with her once they parked the dropship and took out their bikes. Ignis and Prompto shared one bike, since the gunman was better on a bird than a machine, Aranea led their charge and Crowe followed, manning the enormous motorcycle Gladiolus usually drove.
Iris had been silent for most of the dropship ride, barely answering Prompto's tries at making conversation. She seemed deep in thought and the former Glaive had a fairly good idea what she could be wondering at the moment. The others had put her on the spot, refusing to see how the risks she'd taken had saved a man and that most if not every of her decision had been done with Luna's interest at heart, when she should have hated the girl who'd stolen her crush from her.
Being tired from the fight with the Prima, they should have convinced Noctis to hold on with his judgment of the situation, but so far, the king had been making the right decisions. Except the pressure was most certainly catching up to him. And Iris shouldn't have to prove she wasn't a liability to the team at this stage. She'd been with them in the royal base. She'd been covering their back in Steyliff Grove. She'd fixed their wounds through their run all over Duscae for more royal arms. She complained less than Prompto. And the only person who had treated her like a grown-up as of late was a former enemy. Who had given her the information she wanted, surely without any sugar-coating the more sordid details because he underestimated her.
"How are you doing, Iris?" Crowe asked her in the middle of a curve.
She wouldn't try to presume how the girl felt. It was this sort of thinking that had brought her in her state of mind to begin with. It took some time for the younger Amicitia to answer.
"I don't really know. Frustrated to be honest. Lately, I was wondering… What I should do to finally have Noctis and Gladio realize I'm not a child anymore…"
"I don't think you should change anything." Crowe declared. "Because the changes have already happened. It's their eyes that need to see what's going on. If they hadn't shown so many doubts from the get-go, you wouldn't have hesitated as much to tell them of what was going on."
Which was true. Entirely true. Iris was relieved to feel real understanding from someone after being faced with nothing but reproaches.
"I still wished there was a way for me to get the point across. Prompto only seems to think I'm playing with fire, but he hasn't told me to run away from Ravus or to block his number from my phone. Neither has Ignis."
But they hadn't stood up for her either when Noctis chewed her off for being irresponsible. She'd come clean and was rewarded with more doubts and suspicions than ever.
"You know, I think there's away. How about you write a letter? You can start with your brother. He won't have a choice but to read it and won't be able to cut you off if something you say isn't to his liking."
"That's not a bad idea. I used to leave him notes in the kitchen since he was always getting home late."
"You can tell me off if I'm being nosy here, but… What kinds of notes?"
"Oh, simple stuff, like which lunch I'd made him for dinner, or if I had a good day at school. Or just wishing him good-night. I stayed up late a few times, but it would drive him mad, since I had school on weekdays, so I left notes pretty often. Sometimes, I'd make a trail of paper and hide his food somewhere else to teach him a lesson. He would always answer me with a note of his own in the morning. Dad said we were weird to stick to paper, but he joined in every now and then."
Longing ranged so clearly in her voice, Crowe didn't know what she could say back. But when Iris wondered out loud if a letter was such a good idea, the older woman insisted.
"It might actually do him some good, to stop for a few minutes too. And with Gladiolus on your side, it will be that much easier to show reason to Noctis."
Iris felt excited at the prospect. When they stopped to make camp as night was slowly showing up, knowing their destination was about three more hours' drive ahead, she walked with the usual spring in her steps, which had been subdued for the last few days. Ignis noticed the change and didn't take long to realize it was Crowe's doing. Their teenage girl didn't need to be scolded, by fair guidance and also recognition. He had been buried under so much recognition at her age, he'd almost wanted to run away from it, hating being in the spotlight almost as much as Noctis. But the girl was holding on far much better than most of them.
"What's on the menu for tonight?" Aranea asked him as they unpacked the smaller kitchenette they'd managed to install in one of the bike's compartment.
"I think I should make a stew. It will take a bit longer than usual, but…"
The silver-haired lady observed his light look in Iris' direction, as the young girl was ordering Prompto around to set up the tents, while still helping with every task involved.
"It's her favourite, isn't it?"
"I get the feeling we've failed her. Usually, when someone runs away, even for a short amount of time…"
Aranea didn't like how that sounded, because it was a talk they had avoided in their own relationship, with how she would disappear for days with no sign of life.
"If there's something you want to say, you should say it, Scientia."
"No need for distance. I think she hasn't felt as welcome as she could be. Gladio doesn't realize it, but his attitude sounds as though he'd cage her somewhere safe instead of making her feel useful."
"So… you're worried you might want to cage me somewhere?"
"Oh… Maybe once, a long time ago. But I've learned better since. Although I wouldn't mind having you to myself for more than a few stolen hours."
"Promises. Why don't you focus on dinner for now? Then, maybe we'll see about stealing a few hours together and some flirting. Unless your duty tells you otherwise."
He raised one brow, unable to miss the teasing defiance in her eyes.
"I can't help but notice you're implying I'll be left alone to prepare dinner."
"I remember you preferring not having anyone meddling in your kitchen."
"Dear this is not what I would call my kitchen. You can meddle all you like."
She blinked, taken aback by how natural it was to hear those words in his mouth. She took a step closer, not fighting against the smile on her face anymore.
Meanwhile, Crowe had finished checking the campgrounds and Iris and Prompto were done with both tents. The youngest member of the group took up to writing down her letter, typing it on her phone and saving it down for when she'd get a sheet of paper or the nerve to send an overly long text to her brother.
Dear Gladio,
I get the impression we never really talk lately and that you have a dozen things you would want to say. About a thousand different things. So I'm going to take the first step here. I don't know if you'll like it, but I need to do this to feel better with myself. I'm sick of being underestimated all the time.
We both lost our home, brother, but I was there when it happened. I ran among other civilians. I was in the first wave rushing through the gates, Talcott holding to my hand, Jared securing us a car in the chaos. I saw people pushing down others for a chance to survive. I tried to fix the wounds of the survivors that made it in our truck. I couldn't sleep for days. I kept checking my phone for a sign someone I knew was safe. My last text was from that girl in physics that I couldn't stand up. She was asking if there was anywhere safe in Insomnia. I saw it 12 hours too late to answer. I don't know if she just lost her phone or didn't make it. I don't know of any of my friends, but the chances are that they didn't make it.
And I haven't cracked yet. My mind is still working, I keep my training up to date and I try to stay sane as much as you must be trying on your side. I think we can all make bad decisions. Especially with the circumstances we're in. But I've been kept on the sidelines all my damn life, Gladio. When mother was dying, whenever you got hurt because of training or for protecting Noctis. I don't need to be cuddled because I'm a girl or because I'm young. I don't feel young. And if you think anyone can turn me into a bad person, you're dead wrong.
I didn't admit of my texts and talks with Ravus before because he wanted news from his sister and knew she might try to hide things from me if she knew. I totally know where he's coming from, do you have any idea why?
The other reason was because I knew how mad you would get and how much worried you might be. But father raised me better than letting a few sentences from one guy straying my thoughts.
Actually, do you know that Ravus got hurt because he went and buried our father and tried burying Regis too? I can already hear you asking: Why would he ever do that? Because he felt guilty. Apparently, he's human under all the jerk attitude. It doesn't mean I forgive him anything else he's done. But knowing dad is laid to rest… Just knowing for sure that he's not hurting anymore… You need to know it too, don't you?
I know this might come out as pretty harsh. I don't want to send this to you right now. I know how much you want to keep me safe and to look out for me. But the truth is… you can't keep me safe. No matter how strong you are or how much power Noctis could give you. It's not a bad thing. It doesn't make you a bad brother or anything. I just want you to try and understand me, okay? I will always be your little sister. But I don't think my age should define what I can do or what I can think. I don't want to stay angry with you, but I think the faults aren't only on my side.
Just try to keep that in mind the next time you want to go overprotective or to scold me for something. I saved someone's life. If it had been Talcott, you wouldn't have been nearly as aggravated for it. So just try to understand me. Please.
One hug and a half. Other half when I'll see you,
Iris
To be continued…
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And so Luna was deemed worthy of Titan. I bet you didn't expect that one. Or maybe you did? Either way, I wanted Luna to have Titan for two reasons. Noctis is already overly powerful and getting even stronger with his royal arms and the fact he can use every weapon at the same time instead of four. Second reason is that I want to split the Astral fairly between Noctis and Luna. And if Ifrit joins one of them, it can't exactly be her. He brought the Scourge upon the world and she's spend her entire life learning how to cure it, one person at a time. As for Bahamut and Leviathan, well, my decision has already been made. I'll let you guess, but I think I'm on the obvious track with that one.
Next chapter will see a talk between Iris and Ravus, the start of the disabling-Quezactoaltz-sensors mission, Ignea, more action with Noctis and Luna and surely a bit more of Prompto.