Disclaimer: Final Fantasy does not belong to me.
Xethear: It's been a while everyone. Many, many thanks for your astounding patience with this slow update. As I've mentioned before, classes are pretty hectic with classwork and projects here and there. But finally here is an update! By the way how do you all like the FF XV demo? I'm having a blast with it! Looks like Ignis is called Igie sometimes… though spelled Iggy haha.
We are now winding down to the last few chapters of "The Rose of the Night." Apologies if the story seemed long and rabbling at certain points, but there are around three maybe four chapters left. Thank you for the continuous support for this story, here is the next chapter.
Chapter 51: Inklings of the Truth
Noctis's body fell still, his azure eyes so full of energy were now glazed over and dark as he stared at Prompto's face – despite the whole ordeal, the blonde was still able to hold a smile. The wind howled outside rattling the windows, threatening to break the glass with one powerful push, yet everyone remained still and silent. It was as if the wind too was mourning the loss of the Quicksilver Guardian of the Caelum household.
Finally, Ignis tugged at a silver handkerchief inside his coat pocket and dabbed the corners of Prompto's mouth, taking the blood away from his handsome face. Gladiolus then took a step forward and without an exchange of words, lifted Prompto up from Noctis's arms. Ignis carefully eased Prompto's handgun out of the man's unmoving fingertips and then held it up for Lightning to take. Realizing what the gesture meant, Lightning took it with a nod and holstered the memento of the Guardian to her leg.
After securing the valuable item, Lightning helped Noctis up off the floor and smacked him across the face – not out of anger, but of understanding. She watched as he slowly turned in her direction, the life returning to his eyes and gave her a small nod. The couple wiped their tears away with a stinging rub into their arms and walked in opposite directions from Gladiolus and Ignis; one pair off to tell the news of their fallen comrade to the rest of the team and the other on a path for retribution.
Noctis and Lightning took off running, swords in hand, eyes set ablaze with crimson and eyes of pale blue ice. The stampeding sound of oncoming foot soldiers ordered to subdue the duo signaled Noctis and Lightning of the reinforcements, however, they were mercilessly struck down before they could draw their weapons. A glimmer of silver and a flash of lightning was all they had time to see before they crumpled to the floor. The experienced pair had already desensitized themselves from the sound of splitting metal as their blades hacked through the soldiers' armor and continued to look straight ahead and plow forward.
"Have you a plan Ignis?" Noctis finally said breaking the silence between he and Lightning, though he was addressing his other Guardian.
There was a split second of silence before the earpiece's static was stabilized and Ignis's low voice replied back. "We will pay them back one hundred times."
"Good." Noctis murmured back in a similar cold fashion. The prince continued to speed through the halls using knowledge he possessed prior his banishment to guide Lightning and himself up to the king's quarters – where Noctis believed an egotistical man like Aldercapt would hole up in. The duo had just begun climbing the spiral staircase which would lead to the hall of the east wing where the king's room was, when the earpieces sounded again.
"…Light...Noct..?" A single, tearful voice sounded through the communication device. Both Lightning and Noctis froze in the middle of ascending the staircase, it was Vanille's voice.
"Vanille…" Was all Lightning could say as she could imagine what was going on through her friend's head. It was a similar revelation she herself experienced at the loss of her parents. She needn't ask Noctis either, he shared her pain as well having lost his mother and now a brother.
"Teach… please teach that witch a lesson…" The melancholic girl managed to squeeze out her request just before she broke down and Gladiolus took over.
"Give her… give her the ol' one two from me as well Light." Lightning could feel her chest tighten from the breakdown of even Noctis's most intimidating Guardian. She knew that Prompto meant a great deal to them. "Noct, take down the old man; we'll hold the fort down here. It's worse than we thought; some of our groups were ambushed. Aerith is doing her best to fix everyone up while Vanille gets herself together."
"Give her time." Noctis replied and then continued to ascend the staircase. "And thanks for keeping things together Gladio, you too Ignis."
"You can count on us."
"Igie!" Rikku called out in the background. "You gotta hurry! It's Zack, he's hurt!"
That was the last message Noctis and Lightning received before their communications fizzled out. The prince having reached his boiling point smashed his fist against the spiral staircase's metal banister sending fragments of metal flying down haphazardly, 'I'm ending this!' He instinctively began to run up the stairs in a blind fit of rage much to Lightning's dismay. The man quickly summoned his sword as soon as he reached the final floor leading up to the King's quarters and in a deafening bellow cried out in fury. "ALDERCAPT!"
A battalion of soldiers formed a long line along the corridor and aimed their firearms at the prince, riddling his body with red laser pointers; however they paled in comparison to the burning crimson reflected in the prince's eyes. "OUT OF MY WAY!" Noctis quickly vanished and reappeared in front of the closest soldier and drove his blade into the anonymous bodyguard. He repeated his tactic again and again, blinking out of existence one second and then causing a soldier to crumple to the floor the next. He completely ignored the fatigue his body was experiencing and by the time Lightning had caught up to him, he was the only one standing in the hallway. A flash of lightning outside revealed the prince's bloodstained hands along with a myriad of soldiers sprawled on the floor around him.
Lightning wasn't a stranger to the scene which had unfolded before her, but she knew it was wrong. The warmth and comfort she savored with Noctis's presence was absent in the man that stood before her. A dark air encompassed him and it made her shiver. As soon as he took a step towards the door located at the far end of the corridor Lightning called out to him. "Noct!" The prince paused for a moment, but then continued to walk. "Noct!" Lightning called out again raising her voice. When the prince showed no sign of stopping, she formed her hand into a tight fist and ran after the prince.
Noctis felt sick as the aura of the soldiers around him began to disappear. Knowing he was responsible for such carnage nearly caused him to vomit, however he somehow found a way to quickly displace the feeling with his rage. He could feel Aldercapt's presence behind the familiar onyx polished door of the king's quarters, his father's room. Where was his father? What had happened during his absence? Soon he would have his answers from Aldercapt either willingly or at sword point.
Lightning reached her hand out towards Noctis and made an effort to grab onto his shirt, but almost fell forward when her hand passed through his azure afterimage—he had teleported several meters ahead. "Noct!" Lightning shouted his name indignantly, wondering if he had blinked away on purpose. "Dammit Noctis, answer me!"
Noctis had just began to reach out to the doorknob of his father's room when the sound of his full first name shouted by Lightning's voice reached his ears. She rarely called him "Noctis" now, always "Noct" so he knew he was really getting to her. But he couldn't turn to face her, not in the fit of rage bubbling inside of him ready to erupt. He didn't want her involved with what he was about to do, he didn't want to lose anyone else. With a small wave of his hand, all the fallen soldier's weapons levitated towards Noctis and began forming a wall lining the hallway to block the end of the room from Lightning. "NOCTIS WAIT!" Lightning charged towards that rapidly building wall of metallic weapons but was too late as she saw the last firearm obscure the back of Noctis's head. 'Don't think this'll hold me you big idiot.' Lightning summoned Gagnrad and swung at the wall of firearms and swords but was sent flying back several meters as a transparent wall of glass emanated from the weapons. "What the…" Lightning stared, bewildered at the shimmering transparent barrier and felt the same kind of power from it as she felt from Noctis's warping prowess. 'You jerk, I'm going to break this thing down and give you the lecture of a lifetime!'
Paradigm Shift
"So, you've finally arrived."
Noctis's eyes were filled with malice as his crimson irises reflected the image of the smirking old man sitting by his father's bedside. His eyes quickly shifted at his father's pale sleeping face and then back at Aldercapt.
"You must have lots of questions after all, you were—" The sharp sound of the clash of swords illuminated the room momentarily as sparks were produce by Durandal colliding with Caius's sword just inches away from Aldercapt's face. The old man clicked his tongue and shook his head. "Tsk tsk… is this how Tenebraen royalty treats guests Prince Noctis?"
"SHUT UP YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF GARBAGE!" Noctis growled and pushed back against Caius's unmoving blade. "Get out of my way." He threatened to the tall man.
"I'm afraid I can't do that." Caius replied without wavering and began to push the indignant prince back.
Noctis tightened his grip around Durandal and clenched his teeth as his eyes flared crimson red. "I SAID MOVE!" The prince deflected Caius's blade towards the ceiling and immediately swung his fist at his opponent making direct contact with his cheek causing the man to skyrocket towards the wall. The surprising feat silenced Aldercapt momentarily as he stared dumbfounded at the hole in the room created by Caius's body.
"What beastly—"
"You're next." Noctis interjected, refusing to allow Aldercapt the luxury of finishing his snide remark and rose Durandal over his head. "I'll just beat you down until you're barely alive."
Before the prince could bring judgment down upon Aldercapt the holo-screen located on the other side of the room opposite the wall Caius had crashed through came to life and revealed another elderly figure clad in white robes. The frown on the old man's face was made more morose with all the wrinkles decorating his face. "I wouldn't do that now Mr. Caelum."
Noctis's eyes widened as he scanned the background setting of the source of the call—it was the throne room. "What are you doing here Barthandelus?! Shouldn't the primarch be situated in Eden? You've no business here!"
"Oh but I do." Barthandelus spoke in a matter of fact tone with his gravelly voice. "Aldercapt and Niflheim have proposed an alliance which benefits both our kingdoms quite nicely. And Tenebrae owes quite a debt to Eden for the behemoth rampage that cost quite the number of casualties on Eden's side for helping out."
Noctis was furious. "We never asked for your help! You had no right to station troops on our soil."
Aldercapt suddenly broke out in a fit of laughter; even Barthandelus uttered a small chuckle. "Naïve prince. The King has his reasons."
"W-What?! Quit sputtering nonsense!"
Aldercapt's raspy voice broke into a hoarse laugh. "Oh, you would be surprised as to what a proud king would do even when backed into a corner."
Paradigm Shift
"Gladio!" Ignis shouted to his friend as he blinded the rampaging behemoth in Tenebrae plaza with several fireballs conjured through the help of Guardian Release.
At the attendant's signal, Gladiolus leapt from behind a pickup truck and brought his greatsword down against the behemoth's face stealing the vision from its right eye.
"Prompto!" Ignis called for the third Guardian to utilize his sharpshooting skills.
"On it!" The young blonde answered back from his sniping perch in one of the skyscraper building's windows. In one fluid motion, Prompto pulled the trigger of his gun sending a piercing bullet through the air into the fuel tank of a car next to the behemoth causing a large explosion to engulf the beast in a large wave of flames.
"Your Highness!" Ignis signaled to the prince to land the finishing blow.
Noctis ran atop the pickup truck which had sheltered Gladiolus before and now served as his footstool to leap atop the staggering behemoth. "HRAAAH!" Noctis drove his broadsword into the behemoth's neck and twisted the blade roughly in hopes of causing even more damage. The painful howl which escaped the beast's mouth brought a satisfied smile to the four men as it collapsed onto the ground.
"Phew!" Prompto sighed and wiped the sweat off his brow. "It's over guys!" He grinned and waved at the three located down at the plaza.
Noctis smiled back and flashed a thumbs up to Prompto, but the sudden rumble of the behemoth beneath his boots threw him off balance. "W-Whoa!" The behemoth growled and bucked Noctis off its back before swatting him across the plaza with his tail. "Guh!"
"Noct!"
"Your Highness!"
Gladiolus and Ignis ran to defend Noctis while Prompto provided backup fire from the window to distract the angered beast.
"Damn… it got me." Noctis clenched his shoulder and winced, 'dislocated' he thought to himself silently.
All of a sudden, several armored trucks drove into the plaza and surrounded the behemoth. "Hey, what gives? Those aren't ours." Gladiolus said as he observed the crest plastered on the side of the vehicles. "What are Eden soldiers doing here?"
The four from Tenebrae watched as armored soldiers clad in silver and white poured out from the vehicles like ants and surround the behemoth.
"Stop! You'll only agitate it further! Those firearms have no effect!" Ignis warned but was too late as the commander of the battalion signaled open fire on the beast.
"Idiots!" Noctis watched as the Behemoth glared at the soldiers and swatted their trucks aside with its tail, just as Ignis predicted. The large creature then clawed at the soldiers tearing their armor plating to shreds producing streaks of blood to stain the pavement.
Noctis momentarily looked away from the carnage feeling a wave of nausea sweep over him.
"We need to finish this off now." Noctis told his Guardians as soon as Prompto had arrived at the scene. "We'll use that move." Noctis ordered receiving a nod from his Guardians as they activated Guardian Release simultaneously and imbued Noctis with their Blessings of power. In one powerful stroke, the prince dispatched the behemoth, leaving a deep scar across its chest as a testament of the Prince and Guardian's power.
Noctis felt the sudden fatigue of straining his body hit him all at once and practically passed out, however the injured Eden soldiers around him placed his better judgment forward over his own wellbeing. Noctis immediately ran to the closest groaning soldier in the vicinity lying in a pool of his own blood and pulled out a potion from his pack.
"Wait your Highness!" Ignis called out but was too late. As soon as Noctis offered up his potion to the man, his hand was swatted away causing the vial to shatter on the ground spilling the precious concoction over the pavement.
"What was that for?!" Noctis barked indignantly.
"Get… your hands off me… filthy Tenebraen scum." The man weakly pushed Noctis away and staggered onto his feet and limped away to the closest armored vehicle.
"They aren't one for manners." Ignis told the prince once Noctis had returned to his Guardians. "Many from Eden hold ill will to Tenebrae as some of the battles with Niflheim outwardly effected the neutral realm."
"They really hate the royal family huh? I mean I heard stories from time to time but ya know… never expected it to be so nasty." Prompto commented with a shake of his head.
"Don't let it get to ya." Gladiolus said with a reassuring pat on Noctis's shoulder.
Noctis shrugged immediately regretting the decision to do so as it caused his shoulder to act up. "Something's up. Father wouldn't allow these guys to show up all of a sudden."
Paradigm Shift
Noctis stormed into the throne room despite the protests from the maids to head to the infirmary. "Father! Why are Eden soldiers in Tenebrae?!" Noctis demanded an answer from the King of Tenebrae but his eyes fell upon the individual at the base of the throne—the old bald man, Barthandelus.
"Barthandelus! Do you mean to break the treaty you have amongst the kingdoms to remain neutral?! Will you become our enemy like Niflheim?! If so I will end you right here and n— ack!" Noctis fell forward as he felt a sharp pain against his neck. He was slowly losing consciousness.
"Sorry, I'll escort him out of here your graces." Cor's voice rumbled before Noctis's vision went dark.
"What appalling manners."
"Is he really related to the king by blood?"
"Etro above, he must have been adopted. Him along with those ruffians he's seen about with."
The ramblings and gossip of the nobles made Cor scowl as he carried Noctis out of the room.
"Now that that thorn is out of the way, where were we Regis?" Barthandelus.
"You will not address the prince in such a fashion." The King of Tenebrae growled commandingly as he rose from his throne.
"Now now, don't cause a scene now King Regis." An old raspy voice spoke out from a shadow of the room. The figure took a step forward into the light and was immediately met with a myriad of sword points from the royal guard and King Regis himself.
"What kind of farce is this?" Regis's eyes gleamed red as he stared directly at Aldercapt who had a gun pointed at him along with his royal guard.
"We've merely come to negotiate."
"I've no intentions of negotiating with the likes of you!" Regis narrowed his glare and waved his hand forward summoning up more swords seemingly out of thin air and pointed them at Aldercapt and his royal guard.
"Etro's Grace is such a convenient gift." Aldercapt grinned and shook his head. "I'm not here for violence. As I've said before, we've come to negotiate seeing as how Eden has joined Niflheim in arms."
"W-What?!" Regis turned to Barthandelus. "What of the treaty?! Eden was supposed to stay neutral!"
"Alas this is the will of the people." Barthandelus picked at his ear and clicked his tongue. "Tenebrae has been a sweltering sore to the people of Eden as many of our forces who joined you in your plight to fight Niflheim faced heavy losses."
"Those were all volunteer soldiers though!"
"Regardless…" Barthandelus released a bored yawn. "Eden citizens nonetheless. The display today by the prince and those ruffians of my soldiers was enough validation for my decision."
"You—!"
"As such…" Aldercapt interjected. "You will step down from the throne and relinquish the Crystal to me, or else we will invade Tenebrae. The prince should hold no problem as he will lose the seat to Caius."
"You insufferable heathens!"
"You have a week to give us notice. Just enough time for that prince to go through that rite of passage battle with Caius." Aldercapt broke into a fit of laughter as he holstered his gun back in his robe and made his way out of the throne room with Aldercapt.
King Regis grinded his teeth and sent all the swords he had summoned up towards the wall causing them to impale the ornate walls. The king slumped back down on his throne and buried his face in his hand. "I'm sorry Noctis. Please forgive me."
Paradigm Shift
"He sent you away to protect you. But it was all for naught, a foolish act by one unfit for the throne."
"F-Father…"
"We simply didn't want to make an enemy of Bodhum and their Guardian Corp in addition to having to fight Tenebrae, so we sent to assassins to take care of you. However you have that damned Cor Leonis for protecting you in the King's stead. Regis gambled on the hopes of your return, but if he knew the prophecy he would have known it was useless to begin with."
Noctis tightened his fist. 'Even Cor, I was being protected even without my knowing.' "What prophecy?! Where is my father?!"
"You are far too ignorant. Do you even know why it is our nations have been at war?"
"It's all because you want the Crystal!"
"Wrong! It's because I am the only one fit to rule! And that Crystal is a source of power! But as long as it is bound to the royal family, I cannot have it!"
A sudden realization suddenly hit Noctis like a punch to the face. "N-No…"
"Oh?" Aldercapt sneered. "Looks like you finally get it. Your father is dead!"
"SHUT UP! T-THAT'S NOT TRUE!"
Noctis brandished his sword haphazardly towards Aldercapt when a shadowy figure leapt through the hole in the wall and barred the prince's advance. Caius stared into the prince's wavering gaze and sighed.
"The Crystal is still shining! It's a symbol of the King's life."
"It seems Cor did not tell you." Aldercapt rolled his eyes. "It's only shining that strongly because you are the king now!"
Noctis's pupils contracted and his body shook with a wave of uncertainty. He wanted to deny Aldercapt's words, but part of him feared he was telling the truth. The grip on his sword weakened and he was immediately pushed back by Caius.
"Etro's Grace is wasted on a pathetic rat like yourself. Once I am ruler of the Crystal, I shall have that power. Finish him, and you will be duly rewarded Caius." Aldercapt said smugly.
Regardless of the news just revealed to him, Noctis still had fight left in him. If he wanted the truth, he would have to find out for himself. He waved his left hand forward summoning the knife Aldercapt had concealed under his robe and directed it towards Caius's back with his power Aldercapt had just called Etro's Grace. Etro the Goddess of Lost Souls, was that the voice in his head? It was just another question to solve for later. Right now, it was time to finish Caius.
"This is for putting Lightning in harm's way!"
"Not so fast there prince!" Aldercapt interjected.
Barthandelus stepped aside and revealed an unconscious Serah with her head rested on Jihl's lap, a knife held directly over her throat. "Serah!" Noctis shouted immediately halting the knife causing Jihl to hold the silver blade closer to Serah's pale skin.
"No brash actions now prince." Barthandelus said with a yawn. "Else my assistant's hand may just slip."
'Damn it… damn it!' Noctis pounded his fist against the floor over and over again ignoring the self-inflicted pain. 'Why am I so useless?! I'm always being protected… I can't handle this all by myself. I know that. Even with this new power… Everyone… please… I need your help. I don't want to lose anyone anymore.'
Noctis glared at Caius, Barthandelus and Aldercapt not wanting to give them the satisfaction of seeing remorse over his face. He watched the unmoving Serah at Jihl's mercy as Caius's sword came down in slow motion filling the prince's head with a notion of déjà vu. He awaited the impending blade to fall before him knowing full well that he had shrugged Lightning's help away and cursed himself. "Lightning… Prompto… I'm sorry everyone… I—"
What would have been a melancholic apology from the prince was cancelled by the sound of exploding stone. Noctis's eyes widened as he saw Caius's blade fall to the floor. Cor's fist driven into the side of the assailant's face, the Guardian's face twisted in rage. "GET AWAY FROM MY NEPHEW!" Cor roared and blasted Caius away with a punch that seemed to hold the explosive power of a tank.
"Sorry I'm late." Cor ruffled Noctis's hair roughly with his large hand. Noctis noticed shackles around Cor's wrists and ankles. His clothes were in tatters and he wore no shoes. "They had me locked up for a bit, but that princess of yours sure knows how to make an entrance. Shook took care of those guards in a flash and set me free. Not sure how she found me in that hidden passage, but somehow she did. I'll have to ask her about it later." Cor chuckled and handed the prince a letter. "I'll explain after the fight, but your father wanted me to give you this."
Noctis took the letter from Cor's hand hesitantly and stared at the neat calligraphy printed below the crest that sealed the letter. He tore the envelope open and read the contents silently to himself.
Dear Noctis,
I'm sorry that you have to read these words coming from me in such a pitiful state. I'm sorry I had to keep secrets from you, but if I were to tell you everything in your time of growth, it would have been like arming you with weapons you knew not how to wield. I've heard of your recent exploits in Bodhum from Cor's reports. It seems you're doing quite well, along with those three Guardians of yours. I even hear that there's a woman that caught your eye. Lightning is it? Such a unique name. She must be quite the lady if she was able to tame your wild heart. She even stood by you when standing up against Cor. That's the prince I know—standing up for those you hold dear.
To Ignis, Gladiolus and Prompto. You've done the Caelum Household proud. You've done more than enough to earn the Caelum name for yourselves if you so wish it. Cor says you're still as intuitive as ever Ignis, very becoming of the Prince's strategist. Keep your wits about. Gladio, the Amitia Household has been faithful vanguards to the Caelum Household for many generations. You're the elder brother figure of the group, keep up the fantastic work my boy. Prompto, I hope you're not cavorting around too much. It may do you well to settle down with a nice lady rather than "playing the field" as you so bluntly stated. I'm sure there's a lovely woman who will catch your sharp eyes. You all will always be part of this family. Continue to watch over Noctis. You three have my greatest gratitude and I see you all as my own.
You've made me very proud Noctis, and I'm sure your mother is as well. I can only say that I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive me for leaving such a state of affairs in your hands. If I was able, I would take it upon myself to complete these tasks; but I know you can do it. You are my son, and you'll make for a fine king. And remember, you're never alone.
Your father,
Regis
P.S. Ms. Lightning, I really wish we could have met in person. Please take care of my son. I know he's in good hands. Cor says he's completely "head over heels" for you. I bless you two find the utmost happiness with one another.
Noctis's vision grew hazy as his eyes began to grow heavy with tears. He gripped the letter tightly wrinkling its corners and wished to be beside Lightning at that moment with his father present.
Cor smiled "Looks like it had some good stuff in it. Now then…" The Guardian pounded his fists together. "It's to show them why I'm called the Immortal Shogun."
"Tch! Cor you wretch!" Aldercapt turned towards the holo-panel. "Finish the girl!" He commanded.
Jihl turned to Barthandelus who yawned and nodded signaling Jihl to kill Serah. "Your face really pisses me off." Jihl whispered as she traced her finger along Serah's cheek. "Goodnight Farron." She murmured softly as the corners of her mouth were pressed up into a sadistic smile.
Jihl pressed the blade against Serah's neck drawing blood over the sharp weapon but immediately stopped when the sound of a gun cocking made her jolt up.
"I hear this gun is special. It doesn't fire regular bullets. Let's find out." Lightning threatened coldly before pulling the trigger of Prompto's gun over Jihl's temple causing a loud crack to resonate in the throne room.
Noctis stared in complete shock as he saw Jihl writhe in pain before crumpling to the floor. Aldercapt's expression became panicked as Lightning pointed the gun at Barthandelus. The stalwart soldier looked up at the monitor broadcasting the throne room knowingly and sighed. "Lecture. Later."
A tear streamed down from Noctis's face as he sniffled and laughed at the same time. "Got it." Just then, his father's voice echoed in his head. 'Remember, you're never alone.'
End Chapter
Xethear: Thank you all for sticking with the series and waiting so patiently for updates. I'll post up story statuses on my profile page from time to time to let you all know the progress of the next chapter as I work on it when I have time. This semester is still riddled with classwork so I must take care of that first. Many thanks again everyone, 'til next update!
