Chapter Fifty

"You must get up Elia." Durante said sorrowfully shaking her shoulder gently, "Arcebus is near collapsing."

He stood up from his bent over posture and held out his hand to pull her up. Elia wasn't looking at him and her fingers trailed her stomach and a chill trembled down her spin remembering the blade stinging edge. Slowly, her fingertips touched the fabric that concealed her crystal, cold against her skin. She didn't dare try to see it with her own two eyes, not with Durante there.

He cleared his throat loudly emphasizing his thinning impatience snapping his fingers for her to take his reaching hand. Her lips twitched a smile and she took his hand letting him pull her back on her feet. She noticed the sheath attached to his right side that housed a smallsword.

"Where is he?" She asked as she brushed off her skirt and made sure that it concealed the hidden shorts beneath.

"Noct's with the others." He replied watching her tug at her gloves, "I was sent to go get y—"

A split crack reported through the air and Elia turned towards the window. Another crack marred its smooth surface.

"Hurry!" His voice was shaking with suppressed alarm, "We have to get to Noct, now."

She nodded and the door slammed violently behind them but neither of them seemed to care. The hallways seemed to loom over her now that made the shadows grow. Servants bristled out of their way, out of anyone's way (as a matter of fact), frightened. Catching a glimpse of Arcebus in the distance, that appeared as a mere blur to her vision through the glass windows, she could see how thin it was becoming. Losing its strength and soon, it would collapse just as Durante had predicted.

But how long will it be until then? She asked herself as the magical gate was hidden from her again as she ran behind Durante.

Her boots skidded to a halt when Durante slowed his pace as they drew near another imposing door. He shut the door behind her and she realized that she was on a staircase. Steps flowed down in front of her a few yards away in an enthrall display. Elia twisted her neck to look up. The familiar sight of the woman made of stone made her captivated by how truly large she was. She could see the balcony that Noctis had set up the barrier from here. As she stared at the woman carved of gray, she felt the feeling of helplessness shroud her but she discarded the thought by staring at the stone hands that prayed. A glimmer of silver caught her eye.

Her eyes seemed to pop out of her skull. It was a soldier, no; not just a soldier but hundreds of them, perhaps even more. Their polished helms gleamed in the light scarce to them and displayed the weapons that was strapped to their backs or sides. Elia bit her lip unable to stop her eyes from drinking in the sight of such an army. Noct's army….her army.

Then she turned her eyes away from the sight and she saw the leader of the army himself.

He was standing at one level of the grand staircase, its sides lined with giant, gray lamps that let out a subtle glow that reflected off the onyx marble of the stairway.

Despite his clothes being as dark as the shadows like the clouds that had spread, Noctis's blue eyes somehow pierced her in the gloom, even when he wasn't looking at her. To her surprise, he wasn't dressed in armor that she had expected considering that he was the only and last heir to the throne. But then…her eyes caught the glimmers of invisible weaponry that hovered around him, ready to be summoned when needed. Elia smiled, those things…were his armor. Behind him was Gareth, twirling the silver chain of his cross necklace that glinted in the light. His face was stiff with a quiet air around him and he raised his arm, knotted with thick muscles, and stroked the handle of his broadsword strapped to his back as if to reassure that it was sharp. At Noctis's left was Felix whose face was clouded staring hard at the black clouds.

Noctis's hand wavered at his right side, by his pockets, when he noticed Elia trailing behind Durante as they walked down the stairs.

"So…this is it, huh?" She asked when she approached him.

At first, he looked unease by an unknown factor but the emotion quickly passed as he smiled at her but with a touch of somberness that dulled his bright eyes.

"Yes."

Elia gave him a twitchy smile filled with uncertainty. Watching the light that played over his face, she noticed a certain change on his features: the purple shadows beneath his eyes were gone.

An earsplitting crack interrupted the stillness. Everyone's head swerved towards the source and gasps arouse amongst them. The soldiers stirred restlessly as if aroused from deep slumber. In the distance, small pieces of the magical barrier, Arcebus, had broken apart. Building with invisible pressure, Elia watched as the cracks continue to grow releasing the sound of splitting glass. Then like an explosion, the barrier blast apart. Noctis's arm came around her shoulders then and his fingers tightened on her arm. But there was no need. The magical barrier that appeared as a dome over the castle made sure of that. The sudden howling tempest wind slammed against the shield and force ruffled Elia's hair back and caused some of the clothing to rustle. The remnants of the shield cut through the air like glass bullets. The shards bounced off the magical surface and disintegrated into a sparkly snowfall that appeared as falling stars or shining rain that fell in the streetlights. In a few seconds, the dazzling particles vanished without a whisper and into the darkness.

Arcebus had finally broken.

Elia didn't speak. No one did. A quiet settled in the heavy air making it hard to breathe. Her metallic-blue eyes stared at the distance unsure whether she should move; it was like Noct's arm had turned to lead around her shoulder that weighed her down.

Noctis pursed his lips and he swore quietly. "Everyone to your stations!" His arm retreated off of her, "It will only be minutes until the enemy is within our sights!" He shouted. No one seemed to move as though frightened by the fact. Noct's expression didn't change, but an angry gleam lit his eyes, "VOLITO!"

Power in the Latin language sent shivers and the word seemed to have the similar effort on the rest. The soldiers obediently and the officers took commanded shouting at the men to get before the near invisible barrier. The knights below flowed out of the castle's grounds like a silver tide, shimmering like sunlight does off a river's surface. Noct glanced at her and walked down the steps with Gareth already beginning his decent. Elia stared out after him and then at the moving mass before reaching for her leather belt and tugging at it to buckle her longsword's sheath tighter around her hips. Her gloved fingertips stroked its hilt and with a clear ring, withdrew her blade and held it up to her eyes.

"I will fight for my home." She reminded herself, "I will fight for all those I hold dear..." She sighed and slid it back into its sheath in a smooth gesture. O Goddess Etro, please don't abandon me.

"Ah, there you are Elia." When she glanced back to see who had spoken her name, Myles was scurrying down the stairs as fluent as he could to her.

"I'm here." She said.

Myles smiled at her and he let out a breathy sigh making the smile disappear completely. Lines etched into his skin beholding her, his eyes traveled up her longsword and to her face. Something in his eyes seemed incompatible. He tucked his cane-sword beneath his arm to her curiosity and held out his pinky finger before his chest where she spotted a gleaming silver ring. It twisted off his finger and glittered as he held it out.

"I want you to have this." His breath was shaking and she stared at him then the ring. Elia curled her fingers around it and simply gazed at it, nothing more. It was untarnished displaying no sign of any fingerprints and smooth as a still surface of a silver lake. "I…polish it everyday." He admitted bashfully, "It's been mine but…I believe that being cleaned every day isn't its purpose."

Her eyebrow narrowed, "Myles…" she struggled for words for the gray gleam transfixed her, "it's lovely…but….I cannot take it."

"I'm giving it to you." He sounded so warm and so sure that it made her wonder. "Please Elia, it would mean the world for me if you have it. I have no use for it."

Her metallic-blue eyes fell on the silver band again wordlessly. She traced its flawless surface as she inspected it closely, turning it in her fingers, she saw letters engraved. Elia glanced at him but he held nothing else but a smile. She looked back at the ring. Etched across the metal was single word: Diligo. The word gleamed across her face as her lips parted to mouth it silently.

"It's Latin. It means 'to esteem highly'." Myles explained, "It was handed down from my father and from his father. It's been an heirloom in my linage for generations that has symbolized our nobility line."

"Then why are you giving this to me?" She asked suspiciously.

"You deserve it." He confessed, playing with his fingers watching her admire the ring closely, "You are someone to value highly. And…" he paused as if speaking was difficult, "something…to remember me by."

Her eyes felt wet and she tried to blink away the tears before they could have a chance to spill. "How could I forget about you? You have done so much for me." She said smiling at the silver band, "Thank you." Elia tugged off her left hand's glove and slipped Myle's ring over her thumb (for it was the only finger that it could fit) and she held it up marveling its shine that reminded her of a star.

Myles's chest seemed to swell with pride and the corners of his eyes glistened. "Ah." He sounded weak with relief as though he had been holding his breath, "I am glad that you accepted it…" Elia tugged back on her glove, "Very—very good." She froze at the shakiness of his voice and glanced sharply at him to watch as a tear, gleaming as it trembled off his aged face. Elia swallowed and stepped towards him.

Her fingers touched his face and Myles placed his hand over hers keeping it against his cheek sobbing.

She bit her lip.

Words failed her in that moment and all the reasons that built her were gone. She felt defenseless and vulnerable, even with her longsword at her side. With a single thought, she drew her arms around him and hugged him feeling the sudden need, the want to be safe. Tears trembled from the corner of his eyes cascading in single streaks and split upon her bare arms before dripping upon the cold pavement. Elia felt bitter towards herself and she wondered what kind of person she was to leave an old man like him behind. One who loved and cherished her as his own family, something that she had no right to have.

Myles pressed her against him with the streaming tears before gently grasping her slender wrists to pull her touch away.

"I wish I could taste the glory of battle again with you but the years have caught up with me…" He whispered catching the tear that escaped from her eye. "Be safe my dear."

Elia blinked to rid the remaining tears and she shook her head numbly. "I will…try." Her voice was quivering as his fingers brushed her dark bangs away from her face. She lowered her head and allowed him to kiss her bare forehead.

Myles left his eyes to stare beyond her in tender admiration and she was aware of an individual a few feet away behind her. When Myles inclined his head towards him, Noctis, watching from upon the staircase, mirrored him in equal respect.

"Vita a multis in bello amittetur." He addressed towards his old advisor in Latin, before interpreting, "In war, life will be lost by many people."

He nodded at his prince in agreement and he held up Elia's knuckles to kiss them before patting them to her side, "If you want peace, get ready for war." He murmured to him in return.

Elia glanced between them and wondered how they could be so tranquil at a time like this. Myles smiled at her, when she looked back at him, with his gray eyes glistening with unshed tears that were hidden as he gave her a gallant bow. With a click of his cane, he turned his back on her and made trudges back up the stairs and into the castle without a glance back. Elia stared after him as he disappeared over the staircase and she swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Elia."

She glanced back and Noctis had his hand outstretched in an open invitation with eyes that beckoned for her silently.

She nodded. "Let's go." She said.

His fingers curled around her hand when she placed her hand on top of his allowing him to lead her astray. Myles's ring…her ring felt slippery beneath her glove conscious of his hands: gentle but yet merciless, holding hers. They scurried down the steps toward the magical shield that separated the castle from the battlefield. At the base of the steps, was the row of advisors, absent of one, who turned their heads upright to watch them draw near.

In a motion of elegance, the advisors bowed their heads allowing Noctis to pass through in silence. Elia glanced back expecting to be watched but was mistaken as the advisors turned their back at them and quickly made haste up the castle steps.

"Some believe that watching brings bad luck." Noctis murmured. A clear crack snapped in the air, somewhere beyond the barrier.

"That can't be an enemy fire?" Elia asked once she felt the fear leave her.

"It wasn't. It's Felix."

He let go of her hand and walked through the barrier. She watched in silent wonder as the surface soaked in his body and she watched him pull away and stopped to wait at the other side. She didn't know what to expect when she stepped through, almost hesitant at first, but she expected touching something hard and sleek. But it wasn't. It was like walking through melting butter, her limbs sent ripples as it would water and she pulled free effortlessly. She staggered a few feet away and patted her clothes to make sure that there wasn't anything wrong. She dropped her hand upon her hilt and courage seemed to breathe upon her face in the freezing air. A sort of exhilaration washed over her.

Luckily the army wasn't too far; the soldiers drew back like a wave at seeing Noctis's presence and Elia accompanying him a step behind. Her eyes glanced at her sides hoping to see some of the faces of some men she knew but failed miserably. Their swords flashed dangerously at their sides in her eyes.

Noctis stopped making her have to step around him and she gazed out breathless. Out of all the places that she had grown up in, she knew this place more. It normally crowded with people and the atmosphere was pleasant. But now it was in ruin after the first invasion but more importantly, she had first encountered Noctis here.

Her gray-blue eyes took in the scenery more closely and she saw the reason of Felix's gunfire. Soldiers with firearms were across them, some on top of buildings and others scattered on the streets. She shivered with a sudden rush of adrenaline that turned into eagerness of blood-lust for their enemies.

Noctis was the opposite at her side, betraying no emotion but a quiet calmness gazing out into the army opposite of them. His lips parted in small concern and he glanced down at her before shaking his head a little.

He didn't see Andreas.

She scowled to herself and a moving figure at her right caught her attention. Gareth was coming, his features heavy. Noctis turned his head to his left and when Elia look to see, she saw Felix and Durante,

"I didn't see any man of your description." Gareth muttered under his breath, disappointed. Perhaps he wanted a fight, she thought.

"Neither did I." said Durante equally, "Their army is stretched thin from where I was but no sign of such a man."

Noct frowned, "Damn." And he eyed the armored men darkly.

Elia glanced up at Felix, who shook his head too implying that he didn't see Andreas either. His brown eyes tore from hers, "Hey, we've got company."

Everyone's head twisted following Felix's eyes. From the opposite side, a single soldier started to make his way toward them in large steps that were small compared to the large area. There was no firearm in his hands or on his glistening body. She raised an eyebrow.

"He wants to talk." Whispered Durante.

"Let him come." Was Gareth's answer flexing his muscles.

No one seemed to speak. No one breathed. All eyes were on the lone body that moved. The sound of the soldier's footsteps—that let off an irritating note of metal with each step—finally silenced as he stopped at a close distance to speak but far enough to not be hit.

"Our master has offered to grant you full pardon!" The man's voice shouted bouncing off the walls of the empty buildings. His voice was smooth persuading. This caused some to stir, "He will give safety to those who follow him."

Elia scowled outraged, "To what end?" asked Noctis though the tone of his voice made it clear that he wasn't interested. "Tell your master that I won't settle for anything less but his blood. I will tear through flesh and bone to get at him and I won't rest until I do, even if it takes centuries."

The man stood his ground though his voice faltered, "Th—then you—"he cut off so violently that he seemed to choke on his tongue. Elia raised an eyebrow as he clasped his throat having difficult time breathing. He's sick? Now of all circumstances? She wondered puzzled.

Noctis glared at the gagging body but his eyes too held the curiosity.

Then the man resumed speaking, and when he did, his voice was deeper and rich and it echoed as if he was standing in an empty ballroom. The hair of Elia's neck prickled recognizing the voice. She knew it too well.

And so did Noctis.

"So you survived after all, Light of the Night Sky?" said Andreas. His words were round and smooth as practiced lecturer with a tone that was deceivingly friendly, "After you escaped me, I began to wonder if I had finished you for good! It is satisfying to have my worries mistaken."

"You're concern is heartfelt." Noctis replied coldly placing a hand to his left breast. "But I could care less of what you feel."

Andreas chuckled, and even though the man's face was concealed by the helm, Elia felt his eyes draw to her. "Ah, the young lady is here as well, Elia was it? I'm glad to see you whole…." So I can tear you apart, she imagined.

"Don't you dare speak to her." Noctis growled.

"Tut-tut, dear prince. For shame. Has the prince forgotten his courtesy over the past couple of weeks?"

"You deserve no more courtesy then a blood-thirsting murderer."

"How rude." Stated Andreas simply though his words showed no sign of inner hurt, "How was it that you are still alive, I wonder? After my blade slipped through your body? That was very wise of you to teleport yourself to defend the girl if I must say. Futile but wise. And now look, I can see that you are unmarred as if it had never occurred? How is it that you survived?"

A brief pause stopped Andreas's speech, "One of the great mysteries I suppose." He said thoughtfully though Elia felt that comment directed at her, "I see that you came with many men. And the traitor is by your side too? Ha, that's amusing to have one of your enemies on your side."

"He's not the enemy!" Elia shouted not wanting to stay quiet any more, "He's a dear friend and more of a gentleman then you'll ever be!"

"Aw, how very sweet. But I must say, love—"Elia screeched in anger, "words won't get you anywhere and it defiantly won't save you or anyone in that case. So what will it be," he addressed to Noctis who was oddly quiet, "life or death? You can end the bloodshed from happening, prince, and you'd be a fool to not consider it. By giving me what I want you can stop the tragedy and can save the lives of the men who were so called into battle. Do you not agree? Isn't that why you're here? To stop the loss of life?"

Her eyes flew to Noctis and something in his eyes made her throat clenched. The blue eyes she remembered fondly were erased into a shallow appearance as if lost in a dream. She studied his empty eyes and her skin crawled.

"So…what you're saying…is that you won't hurt my people?" asked Noctis softly, she caught the hopefulness in his voice that she did not want.

"I do have honor."

She clutched his arm tightly, "Noct, what are you doing?" she hissed.

Without a glance at her, he stepped forward tearing off her hand as if it wasn't even holding him back. Elia gasped and ran to stop him but his invisible weapons glistened in her eyes to act as a barrier in front of her stopping her from getting any closer. She stared at Noctis's back shocked as he walked towards the soldier who housed Andreas's voice. Elia placed a hand on her longsword coiled ready to spring. She had to think, breathe, and do something. This wasn't right. He can't just throw everything away with just some honeyed lies!

Noctis was only an arm length away.

"NOCTIS, YOU IDIOT!" Elia screamed, "YOU CAN'T JUST HAND OVER THE CRYSTAL JUST LIKE THAT!"

Noct turned back to stare at her, "Oh yes he can." Andreas rebuffed smoothly cutting through her outburst, "He just has to surrender himself to me and that will be the end of it."

She clenched her teeth in anger. Where there any spells that could persuade anyone with words alone?

"Elia, don't worry about me..." She stared at Noctis. His eyes narrowed breaking through its glassy font and his body twisted so sharply that she didn't even know what had happened even if she had her eyes on him. Flesh was ripped and the sound of metal made her eyes widen in incredulity and bewilderment, "I had not intention of doing it anyways…" I bring the Final Sleep was in his hand and its blade had slipped through the man's plated body. "You stick to your lies." He growled placing his palm against the soldier's shoulder pushing the corpse away making it fall to the ground with a thud.

Noctis turned his back on the bleeding carcass and made haste to her frozen form. He gripped her forearm and pulled her alongside him, "Captains, you know what to do." He said.

"Yes your highness."

The army melted together hiding Noctis and Elia. Behind them, Felix, Durante and Gareth weaved after them. They ran out of the crowd and into the streets, in the distance behind her, Elia could hear the magnitude of sound from across the battlefield.

"Is the highway to our left or right?" asked Felix.

"Left." Durante said.

"I thought it was our right."

"Is he dead?" she asked Noctis ignoring Gareth's statement to cause her to be more confused then she already was.

Noctis shook his head, "Andreas was only using the man's body to speak with us."

Elia frowned at the thought. Using a man as a puppet. She felt his hand pulling her along with him and she felt compelled to say more.

"I thought you were under his spell." She admitted even as he kept staring into the distance, "It seemed that you were actually going to give him the crystal."

He snorted, "Yeah right."

"I'm serious!"

He threw her a glance, "Honestly Elia, I'm not stupid. I've been trained to keep my mind safe from spells like that to avoid being controlled. Wouldn't you think so?" His comment pierced her and she flushed embarrassed.

"Hey! I was just…"

Noctis peeked back when she fell silent, "You were what?"

"I was just worried." She said when they slowed as Durante began arguing furiously with Gareth about which way was to the highway and which way was to a place called 'Silens Nox', a skyscraper known for its giant aquarium and party floors.

Noct didn't seem to speak and she was glad that he didn't feeling foolish about saying that she was concerned in the first place.

"I'm sorry for making you worry." He said quietly, not even bothering to pay attention to the argument in front of him, "I'm touched that you were concerned about me."

"I'm glad that you're fighting by my side today." She told him, eyes glued to his weapons that glimmered in and out of her vision like near visible spirits around him.

Noct nodded likewise, "Me too."

He glanced at her hand that suddenly tightened on his hand. It wasn't painful but it made him conscious that her hand grasped his like a child that never wanted to let go.

"Will you stay with me?"He blinked at her in silent bewilderment by her inquiry.

She didn't see notice lost deep her thoughts. Parting from Myles was hard enough and having to think of the fact that she would never see him again pained her even more. It was like loosing her parents all over again. Was it possible that everything she loved now in her new life be torn apart just as easily? That made her uncertain and being uncertain made her afraid of what laid ahead and curious about her own abilites.

But her doubts swept from her like a peaceful breeze as the corner of his lips made that familiar twist up, "Usque ad finem." He murmured looking at their hands and he held her hand tighter, "Until the end."

Thank you.


Tell me what you liked! Got to go!

----

Ok, I'm back, I sort of changed the ending (for those who read this before I did the change). It didn't flow but those who didn't read this before, its ok. I just made it more better 'flowy' it just didn't flow ok?

Again, tell me your thoughts.

Here's the pic of Durante's 'smallsword' (which isn't small): Go to google images: type in Cold Steel Small Sword and it should be the pic that says: -knives

Fancy isn't it? (For those who even bothered to spend a few seconds to go check it out)

~Animangame02freak

PS: THANKS TO ALL WHO STAYED WITH ME FOR ALL THE CHAPTERS. NUMERO 50 EVERYBODY! WOOT!