BOOK 2: THE TALE OF THE CHOSEN KING

CHAPTER 17 – CALLINGS

Yureil Plaza, Altissia.

The archipelago of Accordo was famous for its mild weather and calm waters. The locals attributed such blessing to the Tidemother, Leviathan, whom they venerated with a mixture of love and fear, for it was said that she was capricious and unpredictable like the sea itself.

Now, it had been a few weeks since the empire had deployed its troops in Altissia and, at the same time, it began to rain copiously. Accordo had always enjoyed a special status and independence, and so the locals didn't show much discomfort when they saw the troops patrolling the streets. Behind closed doors, however, as days went by and the rain didn't seem to stop, even the most optimistic altissian began to wonder if perhaps the Tidemother was furious that the empire, which had slain a god already, were soiling her country.

Ravus didn't care much about the rabble's babbling. But that particular day, after seeing that his troops had the necessary instructions, he took away from his lodgings and spent the rest of the afternoon wandering through the city. Altissia was famous for its light and its beauty, even on rainy days, but for the High Commander everything was tinted of the same dull, gray color.

Now he stood at the foot of the stairs leading to the cathedral, where his sister was supposed to have married Noctis. Red and yellow banners hung from the façade, the colors of Accordo. It would have been the appropriate thing to tear them down and substitute them with those from Niflheim, but Accordo enjoyed a special status, he had to remember.

If only Tenebrae had the same privilege.

Ravus closed his eyes and raised his face to the heavens, silently praying to whichever god might want to listen, but with little hope that any would do so. The rain suddenly stopped pattering on his face and on his silver hair. He opened his eyes to see that someone was holding a black umbrella over his head.

"The wedding day arrives, but alas, without the bride," said an overdramatic voice behind him.

The Lord of Tenebrae had learned to keep a straight face through the years, to never show his hand to anyone, but he hated that voice and its owner with all his might. Without a word, Ravus turned around and walked away without looking at the chancellor.

"Of course, we've come for the Hydraean," the man kept talking. Something in his words made Ravus stop. "And you've gone to such lengths to prepare."

"Merely my duty," he answered tersely, still not looking at him.

"Ah, but for an outsider to lead the imperial army must be a battle in and of itself."

Ravus resumed his walking.

"You've spoken to Lady Lunafreya?"

He stopped again, and this time he did turn to face the chancellor. It was infuriating how he stood there, playfully twirling his umbrella, an unctuous smile plastered on his face.

"No."

"That obstinate secretary, standing in the way," Ardyn complained melodramatically. "While you rush off to slay the Hydraean for your poor sister's sake."

Ravus' seething fury turned to surprise. At that, Ardyn smirked.

"I know the price of the covenant."

The sea.

Traveling by boat wasn't as terrible as Prompto had thought. Both he and Noctis suffered from motion sickness, but so far they were perfectly fine.

"Y'know," the gunslinger said. "I've always wanted to go sailing like this."

"Not many opportunities living in Insomnia," Gladio pointed out.

"Out here, it's just us and the horizon! It's amazing… it's life-changing!"

"We've quite a way to go until we reach Altissia," Ignis smiled. "So keep gushing to your heart's content."

"When we step off the boat, we'll be in a foreign country."

"The anticipation alone is a foreign sensation."

"And to think this is where we were headed to begin with," Gladio reflected.

"We've been through a lot," Noctis admitted.

"And there's still more to come," his retainer predicted.

"So, next on the docket is Leviathan," said Prompto while he tried to snap a photo of the diminishing Caem.

"What short of deity are we dealing with?" Gladio asked.

"A serpent said to embody the roar and rage of the sea."

"We'll have to sea for ourselves," Noctis joked.

"Can't let Lady Lunafreya do all the heavy lifting," Prompto teased. "You must be so psyched to see her."

"Luna?"

"Yeah!"

"Well, we need to make sure she's alright before anything else," his suddenly serious tone surprised his friend.

"Indeed. Her well-being is top priority."

"Don't like this is going down on imperial turf," Gladio admitted.

"You think Lady Lunafreya's in danger there?" Prompto asked Ignis.

"The empire did invade Lucis for the ring. I have no faith their ruthless ambitions will stop short of harming the Oracle."

"Without the Ring, the Crystal's no more than a rock," said Gladio.

Prompto crossed his arms, thinking.

"Hmm… I suppose… Does anyone know how Lady Lunafreya came to have the ring?"

"It seems likely His Majesty entrusted it to her safekeeping back at the Crown City."

"So she's held onto it this whole time, all the way to Altissia," Gladio marveled.

"The Ring is important," Noctis admitted. "And so is Leviathan… but Luna comes first."

"You know, I was thinking back to your encounter with Ravus. Do you recall and apparatus in place of his arm?"

"Yeah, I remember," growled Gladio.

"Seems he lost his old one in the invasion. But in his place, he seems to have acquired new power."

"Power?" as much as he hated that conversation, Noctis couldn't help feeling curious.

"That would help explain how a son of Tenebrae suddenly came to command Niflheim's army," the Shield said.

"Now that you mention it," Prompto recalled. "His strength did seem sorta… supernatural. I just chalked it up to the Oracle lineage."

"His ancestry may be part of it, but that alone wouldn't account for his freakish strength."

"I wonder what could've happened to him?" the prince mused.

"There's a disturbing rumor about: Lord Ravus has taken to brandishing His Majesty's sword."

"My dad's?"

"And what's the big idea behind it?" Gladio cracked his knuckles. As if he needed more reasons for wanting to face Ravus in a fight.

"That his power's the same as the power of kings?" Prompto ventured.

"I cannot say for sure, but I have my doubts. Ravus wears the sword, yet does not wield it."

"For all his newfound powers, he's still the chancellor's lapdog," said Gladio, still remembering how the high commander obeyed Ardyn without a word. "Holding onto the enemy king's sword like some badge of honor."

Prompto kept trying to take photos, this time of the slowly approaching Accordo.

"It might help if we knew what he was after," he said.

"Who can say?" Noctis sighed.

"What are the odds the empire will crash the pool party with Leviathan?"

"Consider it a guarantee. They felled a god to prevent Noct from receiving his blessing, and they'll do so again."

"But we beat 'em to the big guy… thanks to our friendly guide."

Gladio snorted.

"Never know which way that one's gonna move next," he grumbled.

"The chancellor has an agenda all his own."

"Sometimes it helps…" the gunslinger remembered. "Like when he called off his army and let us escape."

"But he was still a creep about it," Noct said.

"Well," Gladio scratched his beard. "It feels he's only helping us because he wants something… I just don't know what."

"Reckon we'll see him again?" said Prompto, trying to catch a glimpse of flying fishes nearby.

"Certainly hope not."

"Not your type?"

"No love lost for phonies," said Gladio.

"As Gladio said, his actions are motivated not by altruism, but by self-interest. And when he does come to our aid, I see only condescension in his eyes."

"Yeah, can't argue with that," just remembering those green-amber eyes made Noctis shiver.

"Ever think you think too much," said Prompto.

"Sometimes," said Ignis, as dispassionately as ever. "But it's always preferable to the alternative."

"So, soon you'll have yer old man's ring back," Cid called from the helm.

"Yeah. When we arrive in Altissia."

"Good thing. To him, it was his heritage."

"Is that what my dad said?"

"Carrying a royal line ain't a task to be taken lightly. For a small thing, that ring can sure weights heavy. After he became king, I only ever saw his face in the paper."

"Wait," said Gladio. "Weren't you at the coronation?"

"Nah, I was long gone from the city."

"Must've been invited at least," somehow, that conversation was making Noctis incredibly uncomfortable.

"Had a falli'-out o' shorts with your old man. Right at the end of the trip."

"You did?" Prompto asked. He had suddenly forgotten the flying fishes and the landscape.

"I was given to understand you stayed in touch," said Ignis.

"We buried the hatched years later, but never talked face-to-face again." The old man shook his head. "Shoulda paid a visit while I had the chance. Well, no use dwelin' on it now. Got the Regalia in the hold, but y'all gonna stay in Altissia for a good while, right?"

"Yes, we believe so."

"In that case, I'll tune her up for y'all. Not that I'll have much to do, though, that with Cindy lookin' after the old girl."

"If you say she's good, she must be great," said Prompto.

"She was never afraid o' hard work," Cid boasted as a grandfather would. "Heaven knows she had a hard childhood."

"A hard childhood?" the blond echoed. That wasn't what he was expecting to hear.

"He means her parents," Gladio clarified.

"Lost 'em both when she was little. Was big enough to understand, thought… an' to hurt. But ya wouldn't guess that, seein' her now."

"Not at all," the blond murmured. "She's always so cheerful."

"Well, that oughta tell ya how far she's come."

The cliffs surrounding Altissia approached slowly. Of the four friends, only Gladio and Prompto showed any thrill at the upcoming visit. Noctis was too preoccupied with his encounter with Luna, which was understandable, while for Ignis it wasn't his first time. He had visited the city already when he was a young boy, and he had supplied his friends with as many descriptions as he could. However, since he was still too young to wander on his own back then, his experience had been too limited and brief. Therefore, Gladio tried coaxing more information out of Cid.

"Man. You must have seen your fair share of Altissia by now."

"Yeah… Only done been the once. Stayed a good while, though."

"What's it like?" Prompto asked.

"Big ol' city."

"Big. Okay," said Noctis, whose impatience was turning into sourness.

"Well, it ain't the Crown City."

"Different. Got it."

"You'll see it for yourself," Ignis tried to calm him down. "Foreign lands seldom lend themselves to trite explanations."

"Change o' scenery oughta do you good," Cid said. "We'll be there in no time."

They were about to reach the entrance between the cliffs walls. The Protectorate of Accordo consisted on an archipelago to the south of the continent of Lucis. Its biggest island was presumed to be a gigantic crater from the War of the Astrals. Be as it may, it formed a natural barrier of cliffs with a single entrance. Inside it, the sea level was lower, endless waterfalls fell to the lake within, and a single island harbored Altissia, Accordo's jewel. Just the description made anyone who was yet to visit the city wonder how was it possible for the lake to never fill, and for waterfalls to be born under the cathedral. It was speculated that it was all the influence of Leviathan, lady patron of the city and to whom the locals offered worship and prayer.

"Lodgings are our first order of business," said Ignis.

"All work and no play…" started Prompto.

"… makes Ignis a dull boy," Noctis finished.

"Someone had to babysit you two," Gladio pointed out with a smirk.

"And you're welcome to sleep in the wild," said the retainer to the Shield.

"Ain't no hotel, but I know a fella has a place," Cid informed them.

"Hey now…"

"Weskham… ran with Reggie and me way back when."

"Oh, was he the other one in that photo at the garage?" Prompto asked.

"Yep. Runs himself a diner or café or somethin'. Go and see for yourselves. Magee? Or Magoo? Or… Maagho, that's the one. You can count on ol' Wes… He'll chew your ears off."

Upon reaching the borders of Altissia, they caught the radio signal of the local news.

"The government issued a statement promising that the reasons behind awakening the Hydraean would be clarified in the ceremonial address," said the newscaster. "Delivering the address will be Lady Lunafreya, who was previously reported dead. This will mark her first public appearance since the violence that befell the signing ceremony."

"Lady Lunafreya's gonna give a speech?" Prompto exclaimed.

"Lord knows… this word could use some wisdom," Cid said, nodding pensively. He was already maneuvering to enter the main canal.

"Won't be much longer, Noct," Ignis smiled.

However, the prince was too absorbed on whatever was passing through his mind. It was clear that he was nervous. He nodded absentmindedly and kept fidgeting with his hands.

It was a good thing that Prompto had taken out his camera again, because his friend wasn't looking at what surrounded them now. As Cid skillfully steered the boat towards the access canal, the sea under them dropped to a waterfall, and they saw themselves sailing along a canal between the cliffs and the city. At each side of the canal there was a sidewalk, and columns and statues signaled the places where stairs led to the levels below. It was a work of art, and a fine piece of civil engineering.

The travellers saw the bridge ended on a big wall, curving outwards as a pair or arms outstretched in greetings. Stone statues of old heroes and religious figures occupied the stone alcoves, and the red and yellow banners of Accordo adorned it. It was in that wall that the customs officers stopped them to ask for their entry permit.

Noctis and his friends looked dumbfounded at the guard, but Cid took out of his pocket a withered card and shown it to the guard.

"That's as old as they get," said the guard, looking at the faded out printing. He then sighed. "Seems in order. You may pass."

When they crossed the door, the city finally revealed itself in its entire splendor. It was a sight far beyond their expectations. Even Noctis leaned on the railing to get a better view.

"Prepared in advance?" asked Ignis while his friends gushed in admiration.

"Could say that," Cid chuckled. "Thirty-odd years ago."

"That's what they guy meant by old," said Gladio.

"Lucky us, eh?" Cid laughed.

"That could have ended badly," Noctis protested.

They slowly cruised through the calm waters of Altissia, making their way through the many sailing ships dotting the lake. Fishing was not only the main source of food, but also the national sport, a detail Ignis made sure to point out to Noctis, who lost a bit more of his sourness.

Beyond the wall, they saw the city rising from the waters and, atop yet another waterfall, sat the Cathedral to Leviathan, mirroring the half-moon shape of the wall outside.

Stepping out of the boat, Cid directed them to the immigration office, which was a mere sentry box outside the docks, but which they couldn't bypass.

Upon questioned about the purpose of their visit, Noctis made Ignis intervene.

His retainer passed the test of the gatekeeper with flying colors, giving the man a perfectly tailored story about being on a travel around the world to learn culinary secrets from the best masters, and that Maagho had attracted their attention this time.

Be as it might, the man looked over Ignis' shoulder to the other three, and let them pass. None of them knew if he had believed Ignis, but they never mentioned it again.

The streets were bustling with both locals and tourists, much like what happened in Lestallum. What caught Prompto's attention was that there were flowers and greenery everywhere they looked, from balconies to pots along the many bridges crossing the canals. The royal wedding had nothing to do with it, for altissians prided themselves on always keeping their city as beautiful as possible.

The photographer also noticed the many young ladies walking down the street. Ignis told him that altissian women were notorious for their beauty and their temperamental nature. Men, however, were smooth talkers, going so far as to suggest that even Gladiolus would have a hard time trying to charm a local lady.

Wandering only let them go so far, and eventually they had to take a gondola, to Prompto's delight. Maagho was a floating café under the arcade of a residential area, and by it there was the floating market, that is, merchants who offered their products from their own boats.

Weskham Armaugh gave them a warm welcome, especially to Noctis, whom he had last seen when the prince was but a baby. He was a dark-skinned man who wore his already greying hair into cornrows. His impeccably trimmed beard and a monocle over his left eye gave him a distinguished air, but something in the way he moved and looked around the place told them that he still retained his skills as a warrior.

As Cid had promised, Weskham had interesting information for them. He was also an excellent cook, and they talked at great length over the house's specialties. He told them about Accordo being a protectorate, and that meant that the empire could come and go as they pleased. It was a one-side arrangement, so most everything they did required Niflheim's permission; since they wouldn't knowingly permit the Oracle to appear before the public, it was a mystery to Weskham how the government spun it.

Unable to keep it out of his mind, the first thing that Noctis asked was about Luna. No one had seen her, though they all knew she was in the city. The media, always hungry for scoops, was eerily silent, which spoke volumes of government intervention, and the fact that the local authorities might have a hand on not allowing the empire to see the Oracle.

"That'd certainly explain the rumors of disgruntled imperial officers leaving the city," the man chuckled, crossing his arms.

He also told them about the empire's occupation of the city. Sometimes even at his establishment. Theirs was such a common presence the locals didn't think much of it, though the High Commander had caused a ruckus when he arrived some days before, especially among the ladies.

"So soon after they felled the Archaean in Lucis, his arrival fuels rumors that they will next come to Altissia," said Weskham, his expression somber. "The empire's not content with ruling all the land… they want the heavens as well."

About Leviathan, he knew that, though the waters kept calm and the fishing was still abundant, there was word that the government would open the Altar of the Tidemother while, on the side, they were also scrambling to stockpile emergency provisions. He wondered why they would allow the rite to proceed if they knew the Hydraean would wreak havoc.

They heard a gondola arriving at the dock, but only looked up when they noticed Weskham's face lighting up with a smile.

"My dear Camelia," he saluted. "It's been a while."

A blonde, middle-aged woman stepped into the pier with an escort of soldiers. Dressed in an elegant yet sensible ensemble of jacket and skirt, her short stature didn't prevent her from radiating an aura of authority as she strode to the newly arrived group.

"I heard about your distinguished guests," she told Weskham.

"Ah, you've an ear for gossip."

"Gentlemen," though her words addressed the party, she fixed her eyes on Noctis. "I won't waste your time. My name is Camelia Claustra."

"First secretary of the Accordo Protectorate," said Ignis.

"You should know we have Lady Lunafreya in our care."

Noctis held his breath, using all his willpower not to jump.

"And the empire demands we surrender her."

"What?"

"Yet I am loath to acquiesce unless we stand to profit. Hence I've come to discuss terms… with the King of Lucis. If you have a mind to talk, come to my estate."

Noctis dropped on one of the stools at the bar when the woman was out of sight. Negotiate, as if he had anything to offer.

"She can be oblique at the best of times," Weskham murmured to him. "But I assure you her heart is in the right place."

Noctis nodded, but he couldn't conceal how much Mrs. Claustra's words had affected him. They decided to book a room at the local hotel and discuss their strategy during that evening.

Ignis, as the group's expert in diplomacy, instructed Noctis about the overall tone he should keep during the conversation, the demands the Secretary was most likely to expose, and what Noctis should offer and how he should word it. He cautioned the younger man about the woman's adamant concern about her people, and suggested that he put himself on her place.

The next morning they headed for the estate, Altissia's monuments and beauties forgotten. There was only one thing in Noctis' mind.

That would be his very first act as a king, but only because, for some reason, the Secretary wanted to consider him as such. Until he had the ring, his ascension to the throne couldn't be considered complete.

Camelia Claustra seemed to be waiting for him, even at that early hour in the morning, and had no problems clearing her schedule for her visitors.

As instructed by Ignis, Noctis restrained his desire to demand that they let them see Luna. Instead, he expressed gratitude for the Secretary receiving them in person, and concern for what the empire would do to Accordo.

While his words were aimed to smooth things over, there was a reason why Camelia, whom in her younger years had been an anti-imperial activist, had reached the highest position and kept it all those years without the empire acting against her. She cut to the chase, and asked why the Oracle sought to awaken the Hydraean. Noctis saw no reason to hide anything from her, and exposed the covenant, and his intention to receive Leviathan's blessing.

"The answer I wanted to hear," she said, elbows on the table and hands clasped before her. "And yet, king or not, it can't be a simple affair for you to receive a god's blessing. Let me be frank: the potential chaos worries me. You know better than most what took place in Lucis with the Archaean. Tell me, what happened?"

He had narrowly saved the first pitfall. This woman was far more informed than he had expected, so he told her the truth about him attaining Titan's powers.

Her expression hardened, but it was as if she had been expecting bad news. As they spoke, she said, the empire was mobilizing their forces, and chaos was unavoidable.

"It will most likely come to war," she said. "However, I don't care to host a battle on my soil, the gods and the empire be damned."

That was the cue Ignis had warned him about.

"Would be a disaster if a battle took place in the city," he admitted.

"Indeed. We must be prepared to evacuate our citizens."

"That's the deal you wanna make."

Camelia smiled, getting up from her chair.

"Perceptive and direct," she said, walking around the table to lean on its side. "Makes things that much easier when you can dispense with the dance. Without further ado, let us talk terms. If you wish to hold the rite, you must ensure my citizens' safety and aid in their evacuation."

He nodded. It was a reasonable demand that he would have should the roles be reversed.

"As long as the people's safety is assured, I have no qualms with your rite. But that's not all. Once the rite has begun, I will not be accountable for what follows. You are on your own."

"Not a problem. We know how to take care of ourselves."

"Thank you," she said. Surprisingly enough, her face softened. "I'm sorry we cannot do more, but as I'm sure you are aware, few armies can stand against the might of the imperial fleet. That's all for the terms. To review, you are to ensure our citizens' safety and engage the empire. Do we have an agreement?"

Noctis nodded, flashing his most sincere smile.

"Alright," he said. "Let's fight as allies."

"Allies?" she said coldly. "Such a vote of confidence. Well, you can trust us to do our part and keep the Oracle safe.

"A final warning," she said, walking towards him. "Though I doubt it'll come to it. My duty is to my citizens. Should any harm befall them, there will be a reckoning… for both king and Oracle."

"Alright. You do what you must to protect your people."

Only then a shadow of a smile seemed to dance in her face.

"You're just like your father," she said.

"Thanks."

"You've made the right decision."

An attendee entered the room them.

"Madam," he said. "It's time."

"Assign three of your own for the evacuation effort," she instructed Noctis. "Whom you choose is up to you. According to our intel, the imperial fleet will be four warships strong. Steel yourselves for a full-scale battle."

She seemed to let go of some of the tension when she offered her hand.

"I'm glad we could talk," the Secretary admitted. "We can act in our own interest to our mutual benefit."

His first diplomatic trial as a king, and he passed it. However, he felt exhausted. Noctis would have wanted to, at least, know about Luna's well-being but, as Ignis had put it, that would convey distrust towards Accordo.

Camelia saw the four young men walking away from the palace. She heard the footsteps behind her, but she didn't turn around.

"I can't promise something I can't help," she apologized.

"Of course," said Weskham. "You certainly opened up to them, though."

"What can I say? I have a soft spot for the young and tragic." The Secretary saw the four young men disappear in the crowd. Her features softened but an instant. "They've lost Regis, they've lost the Crystal… Was it so long ago the last Oracle was taken from them? We've seen the empire go mad these then-odd years."

The friends were given a date where the rite would take place, and until then they would have free time to prepare.

Ignis, Prompto and Gladiolus would help with the evacuation efforts and in trying to keep the empire away from Leviathan. The rest would have to unfold on its own.