Chapter Eleven
Altissia
Ellie knelt against the edge of the gondola as they rode the boat through the city. Ardyn was quite fond of the little boats and had insisted that they rode one the second that they had arrived. Tired as she had been, she had agreed to go with him, she too, liked riding the gondola's. She reached down and touched the water, it was cool against her fingers.
She glanced over at Ardyn who was sitting at the end of the gondola. He was looking out at the city, a calm expression on his face. His body seemed to be relaxed as well, she smiled, at least Altissia was making him feel better.
She was not feeling as relaxed as he. Sure she was enjoying the feeling of the water running through her fingers and the sun on her face, but there was something that filled her with unease. She felt as though something was going to happen, what, she did not know, but she knew her instincts well enough to trust them.
"I heard that Lunafreya is here." she said, trying to make conversation. She had been so relieved when she had discovered that Lunafreya had not perished. Even though there was still a war going on, she hoped that Lunafreya and Noctis were able to get married.
"That's the rumour." Ardyn tilted his head to look at her.
She sighed and leaned back onto her seat, she looked up at the blue sky. "This is really lovely..." she smiled as she saw a cloud that was in the shape of a dragon. "Sir, did you need the rest as well?" she tilted her head to look over at him. "Is that why we're here?"
He frowned and turned sharply to her. "Can I not simply take a holiday with you for the pleasure of it?" he sounded offended by the notion.
She jumped up to sit. "Sir, I only meant-"
He chuckled cutting her off. "I'm teasing you Ellie." he winked.
Ellie relaxed and went back to lying on the gondola. She was so relaxed just lying under the sun. She crossed her legs and waged her leg gently. "Do you want me to cook dinner tonight? When we get back to the hotel." she tilted her head to look up at him.
He shook his head. "No, we'll go out tonight. You can rest tonight." he looked up at the sky and closed his eyes. Ellie watched him quietly as he simply breathed and enjoyed the feeling of the sun against his face. She pulled herself up to stand and walked over to him. He opened a lazy eye to her. "Yes Dear?"
She reached out and touched her fingers to his cheek. "You look beautiful Ardyn..." her eyes ran over his face and the light reflecting off his hair. Her fingers slid across his face before trailing over his lips.
He opened his other eye and followed her eyes as she scanned over him. "What are you going to do?" he murmured against her fingertips. He lifted a hand to her face, he slid her hair behind her ear and out of her face. He smiled as she leaned into the touch.
"May I?" she asked quietly. When he nodded she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. His hands slid down her sides and came to rest at her hips, his thumbs rubbed circles while he pulled her to him. She moaned as he pulled her hips to his. She clutched at his coat as she moved closer to him. She felt him press into her and rolled her hips in response. Had she been paying attention, she would have heard the driver of the gondola cry out, but she did not so when the boat rocked and struggled to stand, and when she was suddenly doused in icy water, she let out a shriek.
"It's f-freezing..." she trembled as her now icy clothes clung to her body. She looked up with a glare as she heard Ardyn laughing. His head was thrown back as he let out a hearty, full-body laugh. She scowled and held herself as she felt the goosebumps coat her body. Were he laughing at anything else, she would have enjoyed the sight, but because he was laughing at her, for this reason, the warmth in her eyes shone brightly.
"Oh Ellie!" he chuckled. "Shall we get you back to the hotel? Get you changed, and then maybe some dinner?"
Ellie continued to glare, but she managed a nod.
"My apologies ma'am." the gondola's driver said. "Waters have been unpredictable lately."
X
Ellie stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around herself. She sighed as she walked out of the bathroom and into the bedroom of their hotel suite. She had needed that shower, she felt infinitely better, the hot water had warmed her and she was glad to not be shaking anymore. She held the towel tighter around her and knelt down at her suitcase, at least she had spare clothes ready.
"I have a present for you Ellie." she jumped, then turned to see Ardyn leaning against the door. He was holding a clothes travel bag, he held it up to her. "You can wear it to dinner."
She rose from the floor and accepted the bag. "Thank you Sir." she looked down at the bag and undid the zip to reveal the dress within. It was a simple strapless dark blue dress that cut off above her knees, it was simple, but elegant. She fingered the material, something about it reminded her of a pair of pyjama's that Ardyn used to have- possibly the colour? She eyed the dress. It was definitely the colour.
"I'm glad that you like it." he beamed, before gesturing for her to hurry up with his hands. "Now, chop chop, I'd like to eat my dinner this century please." he folded his arms in front of her and moved to lean against a bedpost. His eyes watched as she lifted the dress from the bag and started to remove the towel.
When she felt his eyes on her and realised that he was watching her, she turned to him with a raised eyebrow. When he returned the expression, she placed a hand on a tilted hip and asked. "Are you just going to stand there and watch? When he did not reply and his lip twitched, she rolled her eyes. "Fine." she proceeded to drop the towel and dress herself.
X
Ellie looked around at the beautiful candles and ivy that was wrapped around the lattice as they were guided to the private garden area. It was beautiful, there were little tea lights on the lattice that surrounded the area and completed the room, it looked like a fairy haven. She walked over to the lattice and resisted the urge to touch the little tea lights. As she got closer, she could see tiny ceramic fairies placed all over the ivy. It was wonderful.
"Well this is quaint." Ardyn commented, looking up at the lanterns hanging above them. He walked over to the carved wooden table and chairs and sat down on a chair. He lifted a menu and began to read over the selections. "What would you like Ellie?"
Ellie turned to him and walked over to the table, she sat down across from him and lifted the second menu. "What is there?" she scanned the pages. She had been to Altissia before, she had eaten in Altissia before, but they had never been to this restaurant, so she wanted to try something new. "Ooo Long island ice tea..." she murmured.
"Looking at the drinks are we?" Ardyn chuckled and flipped through the pages. "I think I'll try the roasted shoopuff... and perhaps a whisky." he put his menu down and folded his hands on the table in front of him. "Ellie?"
Ellie flushed, either the Chancellor was a very fast reader- a good possibility- or he had eaten there before- which would explain how he knew exactly what he wanted. She scanned the pages contents. "I think I'll have... the chocobo pie? And the long island ice tea." she put her menu down and looked back up at Ardyn. "Is that okay?"
He nodded and reached to a little red button in the middle of the table, not long after, the waitress came. She took their orders and hurried off to fill them. "It's been a long time since we were last here, no?
Ellie nodded. "It had been for work," she recalled. "The Emperor wanted you to try and find the girl who had run off and left his nephew heartbroken..." she tapped her chin as she tried to remembered the event. "If I remember correctly... she left for another man, we were unable to find her, at least, that's what the report said." she watched as the Chancellor's eyes flashed with amusement. "What ever did happen to her, Sir?"
Ardyn chuckled. "We simply were never able to find her, my Dear Girl."
She shook her head with a chuckle. "I'm sure."
"Think what you will dear girl." he looked behind her and smiled as their waiter brought them their drinks. He thanked the person before taking his drink and sipping it.
Ellie eyed her drink and used the straw to stir the ice cubes. "Thank you..." she glanced up at him. "For taking me out today, it's been wonderful."
"Dear Ellie," he made a gesture with his hand. "We're on holiday, of course we're going to go out and have fun." he clasped his hands together on the table. "But in any case, you're welcome." it was then that their food came out. His eyes lit up at the sight. "Is that for us? Thank you very much!"
They ate their meals in silence, each taking the time to simply enjoy the taste of their food. When they were done, Ellie rested a hand on her bloated stomach and sighed. It had been a wonderful meal. Then the sound of music flowed out from the inside of the restaurant. It was wonderful. She looked over to Ardyn who had his eyes closed and was enjoying the sound of the melody. Suddenly he rose from the chair and stepped to her.
He held out a hand to her and opened his eyes lazily. "Dance with me Ellie?"
She placed her hand in his and allowed herself to be pulled up to stand. "Sir?" she tilted her head as he held her. She placed her free hand on his chest while the other was locked with his. He smiled and closed his eyes again, but made no move to answer her query. As she felt the hand on her lower back rub circles, she closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest. Everything was perfect at the moment. She loved being able to do this, to spend this sort of time with Ardyn... but she knew that it would not last long, there was a war going on and even though she tried not to, she couldn't help but wonder when this was going to end.
A week later she would be rewarded for her worries...
X
She leapt out of her bed- and her skin- at the sound of a bang. She shakily looked around the room, she was in her hotel room, she had laid down to take a nap. Ardyn had sent her after commenting on how tired she looked. She pulled herself up to stand, she could smell smoke. What had happened? She looked around the room, there was no sign of Ardyn. She called out to him, when there was no answer, she walked to the window to look out at the city. Her eyes widened.
The city was ablaze, M,T soldiers were being deployed from the skies and citizens that weren't being hounded by the soldiers were fleeing the carnage. She stepped away from the window and ran out into the rest of the suite. It was empty, there was no sign of Ardyn, his bag, as well as hers, was gone as well. She leaned against a wall and ran a hand through her hair, panic shot through her. Where was Ardyn? What was happening in the city? Why was the Empire invading Altissia?
She gripped her hair tightly and tried to think of her next course of action. Find Ardyn. She had to find the Chancellor. She pushed from the wall and walked over to her shoes and mag-rod, which were by the front door. She slipped into her shoes and gripped the rod. She didn't want to, but she knew that she had to go out into the chaos. She needed to find Ardyn.
She tied her hair back quickly before stepping out of the suite. The hallways and the rest of the hotel seemed to be in a strange calmness, despite the chaos outside. She hastily moved down the stairs and into the foyer, there was some papers scattered across the floor, but that was about it. The hotel, was peaceful, and if she did not know what was happening outside, she would have felt a sense of peace. But she did know what was happening, she could see the chaos outside. She stepped towards the main doors before having to cling to a nearby chair as something near by exploded.
As the shock wore off she raced out of the building. She needed to find out what was happening, she needed to find Ardyn. As she raced out a group of people charged past her. They were terrified, Ellie could understand why, especially with the M.T's charging after them. One of them noticed her and turned to her, they seemed intent on taking her into custody.
She scowled and rose to her full height. "I am Elise Tummelt, assistant to Chancellor Izunia," her eyes narrowed. "try it." she dared.
The M.T seemed to lose interest in her, it turned and went back to chasing after the citizens. Elise crossed her arms and glared before assessing the streets around her. Lots of buildings were on fire and she could hear what sounded like gunfire. She looked around to where the smoke was most prominent, knowing Ardyn, he was most likely down there. She wished that the M.T's had some sort of real intelligence, then she'd just ask them about the situation- as it were, she would just get run down of their orders, which were pretty obvious to her.
She started in her chosen direction, it was hard as the smell of the smoke was making her feel ill, but she pushed through her nausea and trudged forwards. She jolted at the sound of gunfire, she turned to see someone shooting at an M.T. She wished them luck and hurried on. While running she heard a woman shrieking. She turned down a street to see a woman in a gondola, trying to reach out to a young boy, who seemed to be barely two.
"Do you need help?" she called out as she jogged towards them.
The woman's wild and panicked eyes landed on her. "My son!" she shrieked, reaching out for the boy who was just out of her reach, and crying. "Li, come here!" she sobbed.
Ellie walked slowly towards the boy. "Hey..." she soothed, holding a hand out. "Can I help you to mummy?"
The boy looked up at her with his bright green eyes. "Mwommy?" he looked over to his mother, who was desperately reaching out for him. "I'm scared!" he cried, rubbing his face harshly.
Ellie moved up to the boy and touched his hand. "Here, I'll hold your hand and help you." the boy flinched as she held his hand, but he did not struggle as she walked hi over to the gondola. His mother clutched him and practically dragged him onto the boat.
She held him tightly as her whole body trembled. She glanced up at Ellie and mumbled a 'thank you' into her sons hair. Ellie nodded and moved to leave, as she did the woman called out to her. "We have room, you can flee with us."
Ellie shook her head. "I can't," she smiled weakly at the woman. "Keep safe, look after him." she then started in the direction that she had been going in previously. As soon as the boat was out of sight she leaned over the water and was sick. The stress of her situation was getting to her.
"Urgh..." she spat into the water and pulled herself up. She looked around at the burning buildings in the distance and held back a cough, she was going to get sick- again- if she continued in that direction, but she had no choice, she needed to find Ardyn. As she pushed forwards she heard a sound, a screech, she span around and see the Leviathan rising from the ocean. She gasped, its raw power rolling off it like waves. She could feel Altissia tremble beneath her feet. It was an incredible sight to behold, terrifying, but incredible.
She felt her feet step back, away from the sight, but something in the back of her mind told her that that was the way that she needed to go, in that direction she would find Ardyn. All of a sudden, the creature leaped back into the water, vanishing, for now.
At the same time she noticed a shadow move in the corner of her eye. She turned to catch a figure grappling across the buildings, she paused, was that Ignis? She ran in his direction, as she did she caught sight of his grappling again. She paused, and weighed her options, Ardyn seemed to always have them meeting with the Prince and his entourage. It took her a few minutes of thinking, but she eventually settled on chasing after Ignis. It took her some time, but she eventually came across him fighting a group of M.T's with... Ravus?
She stepped into the square as the fighting came to an end. "Ignis?" she called out getting their attention, Ravus stiffened, as though ready to strike her, she held her hands up defensively and stopped. "Peace." she said calmly.
"Elise?" Ignis turned to her, he glanced around, as though expecting something or someone to jump out at them. "What are you doing here?"
She stepped towards them, then stopped as Ravus reached for his sword. "I'm not here to fight!" she gasped. "I... I was here on holiday, Ar- The Chancellor wanted some time away from it all, I was having a nap when I woke to this chaos and Chancellor Izunia was nowhere to be found..." she pushed some hair behind her ear. "I want to find him..."
Ravus stepped forwards threateningly, his back rigid and his eyes narrowed, he lifted his sword to her chin. "How are we to believe you?" he sneered. "You are constantly at his side, he could be around here somewhere, waiting to strike." he took a quick look at the surroundings, then back at her. "This could be a trap."
She blanched at his insinuations. Did he think that Ardyn was planning to attack them? That she was some kind of distraction? She inwardly shook her head. There was no way that she was pretending to be looking for the Chancellor. She glared at him, what had happened to Ravus? Sure, he had never been the most pleasant of people to be around, but he had never behaved the way that he was now. "I'll not stand idle while you throw accusations at me." she reached for her mag-rod, causing Ravus to tighten his grip on his sword.
"That's enough." Ignis said moving to stand between the two. He pushed Ravus' sword away and shot the two with a pointed look. "The city is in chaos, and I need to find Noct." he looked over at Ellie. "You are welcome to help us if you wish." Ravus made a sound of protest but Ignis ignored it.
Ellie nodded. "I'll come with you, I need to find Chancellor Izunia, and... I'll help you look for Prince Noctis." she looked at Ravus. "You might not believe me, but I have no intention of harming you."
He made a sound that sounded suspiciously like a snort, before turning and walking off towards the growing chaos. She watched him for a few moments before Ignis touched her shoulder and followed after him. She watched Ignis briefly before following after him. Their walk, for the first hour was relatively quiet, there were some M.T's that they fought, but for the most part it was an easy trip. However, as they got closer to the chaos, the more magitek armour began to attack them.
'I hope that's not Loqi.' she thought sadly as she avoided a barrage of bullets from the machine. She swung her rod at one of the machine's ankles. It swiped at her and she jumped back, she groaned as the machine cut her arm.
"Here!" Ignis threw her a potion.
She quickly applied the salve before activating the rod's electric function. She went for another attack, she struck the machines legs again, causing it to shudder and fall down. Ignis and Ravus lunged at it alongside her. It took them a little bit, but they eventually 'killed' the thing. The three jumped back as it exploded, Ravus and Ignis seemed intent of leaving in that moment, but she had them stop, she had to check that it wasn't her cousin. When the debris settled, she climbed the machine and pulled open the cockpit. Inside was an M.T. She breathed a sigh of relief, glad that it was not Loqi.
"Are you done?" Ravus asked, bored.
She turned back to them sheepishly. "Yes." she nodded, jumping down from the debris. "Sorry, I had to check..."
"I somewhat doubt that the Chancellor would be driving magitek armour." Ravus strode towards a bench- a rest stop. He leaned against a wall with his arms crossed.
Ignis frowned at her. "Are you-?" he moved to ask her, she waved at him to cut him off.
"I'm okay," she shook her head and walked over to the bench near Ravus. She sat down and leaned forward, closing her eyes she let out a shuddering breath, she was still feeling woozy. She turned her head when she felt a hand on her back and saw Ignis sitting beside her.
"Are you well enough to be fighting?" he asked calmly.
"I'll be fine." she snapped. At the expression on his face she sighed. "Sorry," she looked up, she could see an observatory on the decking of a cafe in the street above them. She pulled herself up, "I'm going to check out what's happening around us." she climbed up the stairs that led to the deck and walked to the set of tower viewers. She looked into the telescope eyes. At first she saw the inside of a bedroom, but as she moved the telescope she began to see different things. She saw people fleeing, soldiers fighting, fires and then finally, Ardyn and Lunafreya.
Her eyes widened, they seemed to be talking about something. She zoomed in as close as she could, she was now able to see their facial expressions- she took a brief moment to appreciate whoever made these telescopes, they were good. She watched as Lunafreya said something, and then the darkest expression took Ardyn. His face was filled with an indescribable rage, it was a face that she had never seen before, who was this person? This was not Ardyn, this was not the man who had helped her as a child, the man who had stroked her hair when she needed it, the man who laughed with her, the man who... who she loved...
Her eyes widened and her heart stopped as he struck down Lunafreya.
Who was this man?
She staggered from the telescope and fell backwards to the floor. Her heart pounded and she could hear the blood pumping in her ears. Ardyn had killed Lunafreya. Ardyn. Her Ardyn. She felt the bile rise in her throat and she choked on the bile. As she coughed she felt the need to be sick, but not matter how many times she coughed, nothing would come.
"Elise?" Ignis' voice came up the steps as he climbed them. As he reached the top, his eyes landed on her and they widened. He ran to her side and knelt beside her. "What's happened? Are you alright?"
She covered her mouth with her hand as the need to vomit grew. She shook her head and shook as tears welled in her eyes. Her chest tightened and she started to cough, her body heaved and she moved onto her knees and spat at the ground. She let out a cry and pounded the ground. She felt Ignis place a hand on her back and ask her again what had happened, but she could not reply, she had no words.
"What is that?" she heard Ravus say. She did not look up but she felt Ignis let go of her and heard his footsteps move away from her.
Flashes of a memory, a girl, five years old, meeting a man with Amber eyes and a gentle smile.
She bit her lip and shook her head.
A meeting when she was older, a red dress covered with cookie crumbs, a hat on her head and his laughter.
Hot tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Noct..." she heard Ignis say.
She looked up with her bleary eyes and saw Noctis, surrounded by water and swords, figting the Leviathan. She pulled herself up to stand, unable to believe what she was seeing. "W-What...?" she shakily stepped towards Ignis.
"Noctis..." he turned to her, something about his tousled hair saying more than the panic on his face could. "Elise...I..."
She shook her head. "You go..." she rubbed at her eyes, she couldn't stop crying.
He looked at her for a stretch of time before nodding and rushing off, followed by Ravus. She watched him, her legs trembled beneath her as she watched the scene before her. She reached to her chest and clutched at her hands. She felt more bile rise in her throat.
Being embarrassed, reassured, a kiss on her head.
Her feet moved of their own accord, taking her towards the carnage. After Ignis and Ravus, and towards Noctis... and him. Her steps became faster as she moved through the city, she easily avoided the destruction and debris around her, despite the fact that she was not paying attention to her surroundings. She has been following her legs and where they were taking her.
Protecting him, first kisses. First kisses turning into more. Relationships building, love developing... she would do anything for him...
The expression on his face as he murdered Lunafreya.
Pain shot through her, starting at her chest. She sucked in a breath and continued her journey, her walking turned into a run, and the run turned into a sprint as she raced through the streets. She had no idea how long she ran for, but while she ran, something happened to Noctis. His battle ended, but she was unsure of who was the victor. Her legs ached but she pushed forward, she needed to do something, anything- she froze at the sound of a mans cry.
She knew that voice. Ignis. She forced her legs to continue forward, if Ignis was in trouble, she would help him. She ran, faster and harder, her lungs gasping for air as she ran. She felt sick, but she ignored it and ran. Then all of a sudden, she came to a stop. Breathing heavily she felt her heart stop at the sight of Ignis on the ground, his eyes burned and the rest of him covered in bruises and blood. He had been in a fight, a tough one.
Her eyes caught sight of Ardyn standing by him laughing. He seemed to be enjoying whatever had happened, enjoying Ignis' pain. Her fists clenched and she rushed to Ignis' side, knelt beside him and began looking over his wounds.
"Oh my." she heard Ardyn say, but she ignored him. She pushed hair out of Ignis' face and looked over the mess that was his eyes. She trembled and felt more tears well. She heard something that sounded like Gladio and Prompto but she continued to ignore what was happening around her. She reached for his wrist and felt for his pulse, the relief that she felt when she felt it was immense.
"Perhaps we should put them to an end." she heard Ardyn Joke.
Her head shot up. "You'll do no such thing!" her eyes flashed. She pulled herself up and stepped in front of the unconscious man, her arms stretched defensively. "This is enough! He is hurt, you won't do anything else to him!"
He frowned at her, his eyebrow twitched lightly. "Is that so, Elise?" there was an edge to his voice.
She bit her lip and inhaled through her nostrils before stepping closer to him. "Who are you right now!?" she demanded. "You're not Ardyn, Ardyn wouldn't do this," she gestured to Ignis and Noctis' bodies. "Ardyn wouldn't murder innocents in cold blood. This isn't you, I don't even know who you are right now!" she shook her head. "No, right now I'm looking at a monster."
His eyes flashed, but he said nothing. Instead he nodded to his side and Ellie felt her arms being grasped by strong hands. She looked to her sides and saw that she was being clutched but M.T's, she heard a sound of protest from behind her but was unable to see who had made it. She looked back at Ardyn who was walking away and towards an airship. The M.T's pulled at her arms and dragged her after him. She closed her eyes and sent a silent prayer that Ignis would be alright. When she opened them she saw that Ravus was in a similar position to herself, she hoped that he would be alright as well.
When she got onto the ship she was left in the main cargo hold with her M.T escorts. Ardyn did not come to see her, despite her requests- he was punishing her for standing up to him. She knew that she should have felt guilty, but Ignis was her friend and she was not about to let him get hurt. She frowned as images of Ignis lying prone on the ground, battered and bruised, flashed in her mind.
"Excuse me!" she tried to get the attention of one of her M.T 'guards'. "I demand to see Chancellor Izunia!" when the M.T ignored her, she tried again, when it again ignored her, she sat down on a metal crate and sighed. This could be a long wait.
X
When the ship came to a stop she looked around, not that she could see anything in the cargo hold. She pulled herself from the crate as she heard footsteps coming towards her. She looked over and saw Ardyn walking to her. She opened her mouth to say something to him, only to shut it as he walked to the M.T and whispered something in it's ear.
The M.T walked to her and grasped her arm. She made a sound of protest as it dragged her towards the opening door of the ship. She watched as the ramp opened and revealed what appeared to be the forest where the chocobo farm was.
"Sir?" she watched Ardyn as he stepped out onto the grass. The M.T dragged her after him and took her a little further out into the forest. It then suddenly let go of her and headed back to Ardyn. She turned to him and rubbed at her sore arms- the M.T's had a hard grip.
"Sir I-" she went quiet as he held up a silencing hand.
"Elise Tummelt." his voice was hard and caused her to flinch. "As of this moment you are dismissed."
A loud ringing rung through her ears and her chest twisted painfully. "W-What?" she gasped breathlessly.
"You have outlived your usefulness." his cold voice stabbed through her, twisting like a knife. "I leave you now to whatever fate is yours." he turned to leave.
"Wait!" she cried, reaching out for him. "Sir you can't do this, I-" she weakly chased after him, only to cry out as a M.T shoved her to the ground. "Ardyn!" she sobbed.
But he said nothing, nor did he look back, he continued his walk into the ship and vanished out of sight. The M.T's followed after him and she watched the ship take off and leave her in the middle of the woods. She clutched at herself and shook as the airship flew out of sight. She felt something wet touch her face, she looked up at the greying clouds and knew that she needed to find somewhere dry. She wiped at her face and looked around. The chocobo farm was not far, if she remembered correctly. She followed a trail near her and was relieved when some five minutes later she saw the very place that she had been looking for. She was luck that she had, as the rain was starting to get heavier.
She walked to the main desk and paid for some ice cream, bad weather be damned, she was having the comfort food. She walked to the tables to wait for her order. As she did she saw a familiar face sitting at one of the tables. "Loqi?" she said shakily and stepped towards him.
He rolled his eyes. "I just can't escape you-" he cut himself off as he took in her haggard appearance. "Ellie, are you alright?"
Those words were all it took. She collapsed beside him and buried her face in his lap. Her cries soaking into his pants while she clutched to him as though her life depended on it.
"What happened Ellie?" he touched her heaving back.
She didn't reply. She couldn't reply. She was exhausted, emotionally and physically, and her life, her world was breaking around her. Loqi's arms were everything that Loqi had never been, warm and safe. They were everything that she needed right now. They were a balm, a protection from what had happened to her... safety from the world.
Then the world ended...