Dark Time Begins.
Everything had gone to hell, literately everything. Our brave group of heroes had tried to enter the Empire's capital city in order to retrieve the crystal. They endured so many hardships, fighting Daemons, confronting the Emperor Iedolas Aldercapt himself who had been so corrupted that he was turned in to the monster he always was on the inside. They even had to fight against Ravus who had been turned in to a monster himself after he was struck down, though they were able to lay him to rest. Despite everything they endured, they had believed that if they could just retrieve the crystal, the light could be restored and the world would finally go back to normal...
However, when Noctis finally made his way to the crystal, he was absorbed inside it while being taunted by Ardyn who revealed his true name as Ardyn Lucis Caelum, Noctis's distant ancestor. The others arrived just in time to realize what had happened and despite all of them trying to kill Ardyn for revenge, his immortality allowed him to simply brush of their attacks and walk away. With Noctis gone, darkness fell on the world completely, with no light to be seen. Everyone had no choice but to wait and hope Noctis would return one day, all they could do in the meantime is make sure there was something left to save when he does come back. So every began to pitch in wherever they could. Helping survivors of attacked towns, killing as many daemons as possible if only to create some breathing room and build as many safe zones as possible where they could house the surviving people.
Asuka helped where she could, but she would also make sure to get some training in when she could. She would also help train volunteers. Right now she was teaching three people who had shown potential for being great fighters. Their names were: Miharu Hirano, a rather big guy named Bob, and Ling Xiaoyu. All three were facing Asuka in a sparing match.
Miharu swings her fist towards Asuka, but Asuka blocked all her attacks before knocking her to the ground. Asuka quickly kicks Ling to the ground as she tried to attack her from behind. Bob then gets into a fistfight with Asuka, being much faster than his size would suggest. Ended up using Bob's momentum against him and swings him over her head and slams him in to the ground. Miharu gets up and begins to throw punches towards Asuka again, but she easily outmaches her and punches her down again. Bob swings towards Asuka, but she kicks him back. Ling runs towards her and uses her impressive flexibility to dodge one of Asuka's punches, but before she can counter, Asuka kicks her in the face, knocking her down.
Miharu begins to swing and kick at her, but Asuka managed to block and dodge each strike before grabbing her arm and tossed her away. Soon the three recruits were back on their feet, ready to fight together. Asuka smiles and begins to fight off her three opponents, knocking Bob off his feet and punching him to the ground. Then she rolls over Ling's back and knocks her down. She swing kicks Miharu and knocks Bob to ground when he tried to get back in to the fight.
The three, all at once, begin to attack Asuka however they can. Asuka manages to block all of their oncoming attacks. She eventually grabs Bob's arm before flipping him through the air, making him land on Ling, much to the young girl's displeasure. Miharu ran in, but was soon tossed through the air and joined the others in the pile.
Asuka stretched her arms "Not bad you three, you gave me a decent work out. Soon you will be ready to join the fight. Keep training until then".
"Yes Ma'am" The three said before walking away, each mumbling about how painful Asuka's lessons are.
Asuka rolls her eyes before a very familiar voice was heard "You sure have a way of training people, sis".
She looks behind her and smiles widely "Iris!".
Iris giggled as Asuka quickly hugged her, a hug she happily returned "It's good to see you too, big sister. How long has it been? A year now?".
"Yeah... A whole year has already passed since Noctis vanished in to the crystal. The Daemons keeps getting stronger, and finding survivors keeps getting harder" Asuka said with a sigh before getting back on track "But I haven't seen you or even talked to you in a while. What have you been up to?".
"Sorry about that. I was training" Iris answered.
"Training?" Asuka asked.
Iris nods as she explains "At first I opened a clothes shop that sells used clothes as well as some I made myself. I wanted to help fight the daemons, but Cor initially wouldn't let me because it is too dangerous. But I am almost as stubborn as you are, so he finally relented and allowed me to help, while making sure I train and grow stronger so would be ready for the big ones".
"I see... Though I'm not sure how to feel about you actively fighting against the Daemons" Asuka admitted.
Iris smirked "I had a feeling you would be hesitant about that. How about a sparring match so I can show you how much stronger I've become".
Asuka blinked but smiled "As you wish. Show me what you've learned".
Iris nods and the two sisters got ready to fight. Asuka takes a swing at her with her right hand, but Iris quickly blocks it with her right wrist, pushing Asuka's hand away from her. Asuka repeats the action with her left hand, only this time Iris uses the momentum to turn and come back at her sister with a roundhouse kick. Asuka bends backwards to dodge it, her right leg lunging up in a kick, which Iris avoids. Asuka gives her younger sister a solid punch, which she blocks but the impact pushes her back a few feet.
Asuka had to admit, Iris had gotten better. Using the opponent's momentum against them was something Asuka heavily favored in her fights, but now Iris had used it effectively against her. She's gotten better, but time to see what she really got.
Asuka rushes forward, performing an roundhouse kick towards her side. Iris uses both arms to block the kick. With a loud cry, she pushes it away. Asuka regains her footing as Iris releases her own punches, forcing Asuka to block before Iris quickly leaps in to the air and delivers a kick that makes Asuka slide back. There was some real power behind that kick, Iris really hasn't slacked of this past year.
"Wow Iris. Not bad. You've really grown" Asuka said.
Iris smiled in pride "I know. I've been working my butt of to become stronger so I can-".
She is broken out of her distraction when Asuka suddenly delivers a left hook right for her face. Iris body rears back both in surprise. She's ready to block Asuka's left hook, however, and uses the turning momentum to deliver an elbow jab. Grinning the entire time, Asuka blocks it and then blocks all the kicks Iris follows through with. Iris switches back to punches, but Asuka is too on quick for her. While Iris uses her right hand to block an elbow thrust, Asuka has grasped her right arm and pulled it forward. The position puts Iris in the position of having her balance rely on the weight of one leg, which left her unable to move. Asuka sweeps her forward leg, sending her onto the ground on her back.
"You've grown, yes. But you have a long way to go before you can beat me" Asuka said with a smile as she offered her hand.
Iris sighed but accepted the hand "You surprised me".
"You know that you need to be ready for surprise attacks. Our enemies will not fight fair" Asuka reminded.
Iris sighed "I know. But you are not an enemy, so I can't go all out against you".
Asuka smiled softly at her "I'm sorry Iris... So much has happened".
"I understand. But Noct will come back, right?" Iris asked.
"Of course he will. Or I will break open that crystal and drag his lazy butt back" Asuka declared, earning a giggle from her sister.
In a world full of monsters. An reunion like this could work wonders. They really needed this. However their reunion was cut short when another familiar face showed up.
"Cor?" Asuka asked as she saw the Marshal walking towards them.
"Asuka. We need to talk" Cor said.
A little bit later, Asuka was lead to a small camp where she saw Raven. She hadn't seen him for a while either, and if he's here, something must be up.
"Raven" Asuka greeted.
Raven nods "Good to see you are still alive, kid. Turns out you could be far more useful than expected".
"What do you mean? What's going on?" Asuka demanded.
"Asuka. I'm sure you remember last year when you unleashed some power from within you. A powerful light which killed daemons instantly" Cor said.
"Yes I remember. I've been trying to use it again, but turns out it isn't as simple as just turning it on" Asuka confirmed.
Raven spoke up "We are aware of that, but your power could be what we need to finally gain some ground against the daemons. Meaning you will need to learn how to properly use it".
"And how exactly do I do that? I doubt simple training will be enough" Asuka said.
Cor nodded "You're right, you can train your body all you like, but it will take more than physical strength to bring your true potential out. You will require spiritual training, and I believe I've found a way for you to receive that training".
"Well, tell me then" Asuka said.
"During one of my patrols, I found a hidden path up in a nearby mountain. A being of pure light guarded it's entrance and she told me only the chosen by the light can pass through those gates and receive their blessing... And I think... No, I know you are the one she meant. This is your chance to reach your true potential and claim your destiny" Cor explained.
Asuka looked down in thought for a moment "Alright... I will do it. Tell me where it is".
"I will, but you need to make the journey on your own. This is your path, Asuka" Cor said.
Asuka nods. This will be a challenge, but she knew she could do it.
A little while later, Asuka was ready to leave. But just as she was about to begin walking, a voice called out to her.
"Asuka! Asuka wait!" She turned around and saw Prompto running up to her "Going on a dangerous trip without even telling me first?".
Asuka sighed, she knew Prompto would catch on to her plan sooner or later "I'm sorry Prompto... Had I told you, you would've tried to stop me".
"Why do you need to do this alone? I can help you" Prompto said.
"Not this time Prompto. This is a journey I need to make on my own. What I will learn from this could help turn the tide against the daemons, and help us hold on until Noct returns" Asuka said.
Prompto grabs her shoulders "Noct will be back, Asuka! And when he does, he will kick the daemons asses for good. We just need to survive until he comes back".
"I know and we will. But I need to master my power. It will make it easier for use to survive" Asuka said.
"Asuka please... don't go alone" Prompto begged.
"Prompto. Do you trust me?" Asuka asked.
"Of course I do, but-" Prompto began but Asuka silenced him by placing a finger on his lips.
"Then trust me when I say this: I will be back, and I'm not dying before you finally put a ring on my finger" Asuka said.
Prompto blushed before Asuka kissed him on the lips. He kissed back and they remained like that for several seconds before they slowly broke the kiss and looked each other in the eyes. Prompto could see it in Asuka eyes. The love, the determination, and the will to endure any hardship for the people she loves. He always admired that about her, and knew he couldn't stop her... As much as he hated to admit it, he had to let her do this.
"Alright... Just make sure you come back with some badass new powers, ok?" Prompto said.
Asuka smiled "I look forward to showing you what I will learn. See you soon Prompto".
"I would wish you luck, if I thought you'd need it" Prompto said.
Asuka giggled before she began heading for the mountain. Prompto watched her leave... silently praying for her safe return. He knew she could do this... Because she is the strongest woman he had ever known. As for Asuka, she was determined to succeed in her trials. She will master her power and use it to protect everyone... This was her promise.
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Been a while. Sorry for the long wait and that not much happened in this story. I was just in a real Final Fantasy mood, and this little idea popped in my head. Since there is 10 years between Noctis going in and out of the crystal, it gave me a lot of ground to work on.
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Tell me what you think.
