I had a final this week so there was a bit of a delay. Anywho, only two more chapters left~

Replying to:

EveoRAiN

What I find super interesting is that Ao3 seems more active than FF even for a "dead" game like els', it makes me wonder just how inactive the community really is. I hope the recent KOG scandal in KR will lead to better changes and fixes to the characters in the near future. I really enjoy the QoL changes in Els rn and it's a shame that so many bad decisions are harming the player base.


Clamor's time was up. He'd always known this day would come but it still hit him like a slap to the face.

Noah had consulted the stars multiple times on several different occasions, but they kept telling him the same thing. He didn't want to believe it at first. Even when Clamor's sentient tools took over more and more of the daily chores Noah refused to accept it was nearly time to say goodbye.

There was still so much he had to learn from him—about him, two years was hardly enough time. So he did the only thing he could think of, he ignored the problem. Instead of consulting the stars every night, he pretended to take a keen interest in magitechnology and invested most of his time into grasping the fundamentals of that topic.

In hindsight, he should've known better than to try and run away from the truth. Reality always had a funny way of reminding him of her cruel games.

"I'm finally going to be able to share my research with the world! It's going to enhance accessibility technology forever!" Clamor exclaimed one night over dinner.

Noah nearly dropped his fork at the news. He wanted him to brush it off as a joke, but when that proud glint remained in his eyes Noah felt like he was going to hurl.

Despite wanting to scream at Clamor to get out of the area as fast as he can, Noah put on the brightest smile he could muster and answered," that's awesome! We should do something to celebrate!"

"Not tonight, there are still a few things I need to finalize." Clamor said without looking up from his scrolls. "Oh, and I've been thinking of advancing your education to the next level."

"H-Huh?"

"You've grown a lot over the past two years, and even if you're still a bit young I think it's time to properly enroll you into the Tower."

"Wait what?" Noah gawked in surprise. He never expected Clamor to think so far ahead into his future. It only made the pit in his stomach grow bigger.

"Don't worry, I'll talk to the higher-ups about it. It might take some persuading but I think once they see what you can do they'll make an exception." Clamor elaborated, confusing Noah's silence with uncertainty about enrolling. "You'll even get your own little dorm to live in once you're in, no more hiding in my study like a criminal."

Noah couldn't bring himself to respond, not when he knew what awaited Clamor in the very near future. Clamor didn't seem to mind the silence as he continued to work on his research with even more vigor.

That night Noah consulted the stars once more to truly confirm his suspicions. It didn't take long for him fully accept the inevitable tragedy.

Noah didn't know how to act throughout the upcoming days. He couldn't mourn without alerting Clamor that something was wrong, and he certainly couldn't warn Clamor about his inevitable fate.

So he did everything in his power to spend as much time as he could with Clamor—helping him out whenever he needed it. If Clamor wanted to work on his research project Noah would be sitting with him at the workbench, pretending to be studying alongside him. If he wanted to tidy up after class Noah would have the entire study scrubbed from top to bottom before he was even done teaching for the day. If he needed to mark homework Noah would volunteer to tackle half the scrolls.

And at the dead of night, when Clamor was still up finalizing his project, Noah laid awake in his bedroll listening—memorizing his every move. It may not be the last time they'll meet, but it'll be the last time he'll see him in this form.

The week passed by faster than Noah would've liked. Before he knew it, he awoke to the final day before his blissful time in the past was officially over. It was a beautiful morning, with not a single cloud in the sky to hide the sun's radiance. Noah wondered if this was the world's twisted way of messing with him one last time.

Clamor had already gone to teach his morning class, leaving behind a plate of food for him to eat as usual. Noah couldn't bring himself to stomach his breakfast.

He spent the rest of that morning cleaning up their home for the final time. He approached the task as slowly as he could manage, memorizing every book, glass vials, the way Clamor's books seemed to overflow the towering bookshelves, the empty coffee mug always found on his overcrowded workbench, the star charts he generously put up around the study to help Noah with his studies, and the old parchment smell that clung onto the scrolls and tombs he brought back from the library. Noah wanted to remember this space for as long as he humanly could.

Once he was satisfied with his work, he took out a piece of blessed enhancement stone from underneath his pillow, made himself comfortable beneath one of the bookcases, and got to work.

Noah had been wanting to make Clamor a gift for the longest time, but he never knew what exactly to give him. He couldn't just leave and go shopping, so whatever he gave would have to be handmade.

It wasn't until the night Clamor told him about this meeting that he thought of the perfect gift for him—maybe perfect was a bit of an exaggeration but it would be meaningful regardless.

Clamor had stopped questioning him about his strange art project after the third day, Noah always hid it behind his back whenever Clamor tried to ask him about it.

"It's just a fun crafts project!" He'd always tell him when interrogated.

"You're acting awfully protective over a small art project."

"It's embarrassing, okay? I-if it turns out nice I'll show it to you."

Today was no different. Clamor returned home at the stroke of noon to finish what was left of his research project, not even blinking an eye when he noticed Noah hunched at his usual spot carving into the tiny stone.

"You didn't eat breakfast." He noted almost immediately.

"Busy," Noah mumbled, he was smoothing out one of the more challenging bits of his project.

"Noah, remember what I said about skipping meals?"

"Says the guy who skips out on lunch to get extra work done."

"I can hear you."

Noah quickly hid the small stone behind his back when he caught a glimpse of Clamor walking up the stairs.

"Let's make a deal then. I'll finish breakfast if you have lunch with me."

"Noah…"

"Come on, isn't it a little hypocritical of you to lecture me about skipping meals? I'm just mirroring what my role model is doing." He replied cheekily.

That's how he managed to get Clamor to sit down and eat at a normal time for once. They returned to their usual tasks once the short break was over, with Clamor working on the main floor and Noah curled up on the second floor. The occasional shuffling of scrolls filled the silence between them. Dinner was the only thing that brought broke the spell and brought them together again.

By the time Noah was finished looping his project through a silver chain, the sun had gone down and he'd left an impressive pile of sparkling cyan dust on the floor. His fingers were sore from holding onto the bumpy stone for so long, but it didn't matter. He was finished right on time.

He held up the crudely made pendant with a beaming smile. The bumpy crescent moon-shaped stone wasn't anywhere close to polished, it just barely resembled the moon, but it was enough to convey his artistic vision.

"Oh, you're still up."

Noah jumped in surprise at Clamor's sudden appearance by his side. He quickly buried the pendant into his pocket.

"Do you ever make any noise when you walk?" Noah glared at him. He swore Clamor liked to sneak up on him on purpose.

"It's not my fault you're not paying attention." He shrugged. "Hey, do you want to get some fresh air on the rooftop?"

"Yeah!" Noah responded a bit too eagerly. He awkwardly cleared his throat and rose to his feet. "S-Should I clean up first?"

"It's fine, we'll just get the sentient broom to take care of it."

Noah nodded and eagerly followed him out of the room.

It was a warm night. Much like the early morning, there was not a single cloud in the sky, allowing the galaxy to shine with all her strength. Tonight the stars' voices drew him in like a moth to a flame, but he refrained himself from answering their call. There would always be another night of reading the heavens, but he could never spend another night with Clamor as he is now.

He stayed by Clamor's side as he cast all the usual silencing charms. Clamor gave him a funny look but didn't comment on it any further.

"Wow, it's really clear tonight!" Noah noted once Clamor was finished with the charms. "Look at all those constellations! I haven't properly seen some of these guys in ages!"

"To be fair I haven't seen you study the stars in quite a while."

"W-well you know, I've been busy."

Busy avoiding the truth but busy nonetheless.

"I doubt an art project would consume so much of your time."

"Hey, great art comes with time and effort! Carving into stone isn't as easy as it looks!"

"Alright spill." Clamor crossed his arms. "You've been acting weird lately, and it's only gotten worse since I told you about the enrollment plan."

"Oh wow, Sirius is looking extra bright tonight! Hey, is that Orion's Belt I see?"

"Are you having nightmares again?" Clamor persisted in a much more somber tone.

'I'm only going to worry him more at this rate.' Noah realized.

"No." Noah sighed in defeat. There was no getting out of this one. "I'm being honest"

His nightmares had gotten much better. He wasn't completely free from their grasp, but it was easier to cope when he could turn to Clamor for support.

"You don't seem like you've been sleeping well. I'm just a bit worried."

"I…I just have a lot on my mind." He decided to tell him truthfully. It was a gross understatement but it wasn't inaccurate.

"Are you worried about enrolling here officially?"

"Something like that…"

"It'll be fine. I'll make sure everything goes according to plan." He ruffled Noah's head.

Despite hitting a growth spurt and nearly shooting up to Clamor's eye level, Clamor still treated him like a short little kid. Noah didn't mind, not when he knew it wouldn't be long before those affectionate pats would be gone forever.

Unless he found a way to give Clamor his body back.

"It's an exciting opportunity, Noah, you'll finally be able to spend time with other humans. If you're lucky you'll even make friends with your new roommates."

"You know I don't mind spending my day with you. You're my bro—best friend and that's that." Noah replied almost instantly. He didn't like what he was implying.

Clamor never went into much detail about the way his human students and colleagues treated him. Even when Noah pressed him about it after witnessing several tense meetings in his study Clamor always shrugged it off like it was nothing.

"You shouldn't waste your time with the ignorant." He'd always tell him. "They don't know who I am, so their words mean nothing to me."

But Noah could tell it did affect him. He'd make more mistakes than usual, cursed a lot more, and was generally more reserved.

If Noah wasn't living in the tower as a secret trespasser he would've happily chewed those visitors out.

"That's not what I meant. I'm referring to the lack of socializing you've had over this past year." Clamor explained with a gentle smile.

"O-oh." He blushed. Maybe the lack of sleep really was starting to mess with him.

"But it would be wise not to get too close to me in public. I'm worried your classmates will think less of you."

"Who cares? If they have a problem with who I spend time with then that's on them. They weren't the ones who helped me when I was at rock bottom."

"Noah."

"I'm not going to be a hermit, but I'm also not going to tolerate them bad-mouthing you. You would do the same for me."

"Just try not to piss off any of your human roommates. They can make your life a living hell if you're not careful." Clamor sighed tiredly.

"Can't I just crash at your study like usual?"

"You're always welcome to stay with me, but don't neglect your peers. It's better to have more friends than enemies in this world."

"Of course."

The more they discussed their future plans the more it felt like someone had plunged a knife through Noah's heart.

'I promise we'll get to make more plans in the future. I promise I'll get your body back so we can live together again.'

"Once I graduate I'll see if I can pass my study down to you." Clamor continued.

"Y-you're graduating soon?"

"This is going to be my final year, remember? Afterward, I think I'm going to take some time off to travel a bit. Maybe visit some old places I spent with my family."

The irony of Clamor's comment wasn't lost on Noah.

"You're thinking of going home?" Noah asked out of genuine curiosity.

Clamor made it clear he had no intentions of reconnecting with his family—he wasn't really sure if the human-half of his family were still alive. Noah always had a hunch he felt a bit lonely from being away from them for so long despite Clamor's adamant denial of it.

"I guess you could call it that. I doubt anyone I know still lives there anymore, but I've always wanted to know what it looks like now." Clamor explained.

Somehow that made what was going to happen in a few short hours feel even worse.

"Hey, don't look so upset, it's not like I'm going to abandon you here forever." Clamor said once he noticed Noah's frown.

"Sorry, I-I just…I'm going to miss you."

'Even if we meet again it won't be the same. You won't remember any of this…'

Noah wasn't sure what was worse, being forced to watch Clamor's murder again or having him oblivious to all the memories they made over the past 2 years.

"If it makes you feel any better I'd be happy to bring you along during the summer break. I think it'll be quite fun to be able to fight monsters alongside you." Clamor spoke after a short pause.

Noah thought of the cold sickle laying beside his bedroll. "Yeah, and you can make all sorts of bad jokes when we're trying to win a serious battle."

"Hey, my jokes are perfectly fine!"

"Yeah for an old person."

"Hmph! Young people these days have no respect for their seniors."

"So you do admit you're old."

"…"

Noah burst out laughing despite the heavyweight on his shoulders. Sometimes Clamor made it way too easy for him to tease, and tonight he'd happily laugh at Clamor than burst out crying for him.

"Laugh all you want, you little shit. Let's see who'll be laughing 40 years down the line." Clamor slapped him lightly on the back of the head.

"You'll have to take care of me when I'm old so I guess I'll still be laughing." He playfully punched him back.

'Until then I'll take good care of you while you're still trapped in my sickle.'

Noah couldn't quite catch what Clamor mumbled under his breath, but seeing as he didn't have any sharp remarks he took it as his win.

They stood there in comfortable silence for a bit. The night was unusually calm, not even a single breeze was present on the rooftop. On any other night Noah would find great comfort in the peace, but tonight it truly was a calm before the storm.

"It's getting late, we should go back—"

"Wait!" Noah snatched Clamor's wrist. He flushed at his dramatic reaction and jerked his hand back. "I-I um…have a gift."

He dug into his pocket and pulled out the crudely shaped pendant he crafted throughout the week. His embarrassment only seemed to intensify when Clamor took the pendant and turned it over slowly.

"I-I always wanted to give something back but I couldn't really think of anything until recently. S-Sorry if it's bumpy. I've never really done anything like this before and it was a lot harder than I thought a-and umm…yeah."

Noah wanted to smack himself for coming off so awkwardly. The exchange he imagined in his head seemed so much more pleasant and smooth than whatever he just pulled off.

"Ah, so that's what you were making. I just thought you got bored of reading and picked up a new hobby." Clamor continued to examine the pendant like it was made of diamonds. "Well I think it looks lovely! I've never seen anyone making an accessory off of an enhancing stone before."

"T-thanks."

"What gave you the idea of making a pendant in the first place?"

Noah felt his face warm up even more. He was grateful the moonlight was there to filter his flaming blush.

"I-I'll tell you only if you don't laugh at me."

"I don't see why I'd laugh at you for coming up with such a thoughtful gift, but I promise not to laugh."

"Good! Umm…when my brother erm…passed away the one thing that he left for me was a …pendant." Noah instinctively reached up to his own keepsake.

"Even if he isn't here anymore I still feel like there's always a part of him that's by my side. With the upcoming life changes I thought it'd be appropriate to give you something t-to keep you company, you know…s-so I can be with you even when I'm not physically by your side and stuff…"

That was part of the truth. The real reason he wanted to make Clamor that pendant was for him to die knowing Noah would be by his side in some shape or form.

Noah didn't want the Gate to forcefully make him transparent to the event again, it felt like he would be abandoning Clamor if it happened again, so the next best solution would be leaving him with a keepsake. The events meant to play out would still happen, but this time Clamor wouldn't have to die alone.

And Noah would honour his horrific end by remaining physically present at the scene until the very end.

Noah awkwardly examined the ground with keen interest. Clamor's silence only seemed to make his face grow hotter and hotter.

"You're too soft for your own good sometimes." Clamor's comment didn't make him feel any less embarrassed.

"I-I—"

"Don't worry I'll take good care of it."

Noah couldn't hold back a smile when a hand ruffled his hair.

"You know I always wanted to have a younger sibling like you. A little bratty but also hopelessly sweet."

"I'm not sure if I should be offended or flattered." Noah joked as he sheepishly met his eyes once more. His heart warmed when he noticed the hand-made pendant already around his neck.

'Hopefully it's enough to give you comfort tomorrow.'

"Well, now I feel bad for not getting you anything."

"D-don't! I don't want anything in return, not after everything you've done for me."

"Nonsense, you're about to enter a whole new phase in your life, it's only natural you get a celebratory gift." Clamor began pacing, a telltale sign he was in the middle of a brainstorm.

'Getting to know you is enough.'

Instead, he answered," well, why don't we worry about it after the whole enrolment thing? Let's just enjoy this beautiful night!"

"Hmm…I suppose…"

Noah rolled his eyes and grabbed Clamor by the wrist," come on, let's see what happens when we combine spells! Tonight's sky is perfect for a light show!"

They spent the rest of the night experimenting with all sorts of crazy spells, with the number of explosions and lights they were setting off into the heavens it was a miracle no one ever came up to investigate.

The first beams of sunlight came much sooner than Noah had liked, marking the dawn of the final day.

They quickly snuck back into Clamor's study and wound down with a cup of tea and some apple slices. Neither of them said much at that point. The peace and tranquility of the night carried over even as the sun lit up the early morning sky; it felt like some kind of sick joke.

"You should get some sleep." Clamor said after they finished the last bits of their snack. "We can resume your lessons tomorrow."

Tomorrow.

Noah grit his teeth at the promise that would never be fulfilled.

"Let me help you clean up." He offered with a yawn.

"We can let the sentient tools take care of it. Sleep, I'm going to review my project real quick before the client arrives."

"'Kay…"

Noah got up to his feet, but just before he dragged himself to his bedroll he paused.

"Clamor?"

"Hmm?" He was already engrossed in his scrolls. Noah tried to immortalize his image into his head.

"If…if I do get into the Tower, and my classmates ask about you…can I…can I refer to you as my brother?"

Clamor's shoulders tensed at the request. Noah wasn't sure if he was pushing his luck, but it didn't feel right to say goodbye without telling him how he'd been viewing their dynamic.

"Well, we'd certainly get questions but I don't see why not. Adoption is always a thing—!"

Noah moved faster than his brain could process. He charged into Clamor with one last tight embrace. The scent of coffee and old scrolls made the lump in the back of his throat throw, but he refused to let himself cry.

He didn't want Clamor to die worrying about what was wrong with him. The tears could be saved after he left the Gate.

"Wow, someone's feeling super sentimental today." Clamor teased while returning the hug. "I always thought brothers liked to beat each other up."

'Not when they're saying goodbye for the last time.'

Noah laughed despite wanting to break down.

"I can beat you up tomorrow, idiot." He muttered.

"Beat me up? In your dreams, kid." Clamor scoffed. "Are you sure you're okay? You seem a bit tense."

"Y-yeah. Just happy to have a brother again." He tightened his hold around Clamor.

'I love you.'

Reluctantly he separated himself from Clamor," I'll leave you to it. Good luck with the client."

"Sleep well. I'll wake you up before dinner."

And so Noah made his way upstairs and positioned his bedroll so he'd be hidden from plain sight from the main floor, but he'd have a full view of the incoming event.

He studied Clamor at work until he finally succumbed to sleep.

The next time he woke up he saw the Order member was already speaking with Clamor. He hugged his silent sickle as the events played out just as he remembered. Though he knew exactly how the murder would play out, somehow, witnessing it a second time was even more painful than the first. This time he didn't just see his friend die at the hands of the Order, he also saw his brother die.

He held back an anguished scream when Clamor collapsed onto that cursed spot once again, crimson blood pooling onto the ground.

Was he in pain? Was there a spell he could cast to ease his discomfort? Could his Celestial Magic be enough to forcefully change the past?

Question after question raced through his head, but one thing remained constant. He wanted to run to Clamor's side and be there for him until he was gone. The grip he had on his sickle was beginning to hurt his hands but he refused to let go.

He felt the pull of the Gate calling him back to the present, but he clung onto Clamor's final moments for as long as he could. He would not leave until Clamor was completely gone.

'You're not alone. I'm right here by your side.'

Even through his tears, he saw Clamor weakly clasp the moon-shaped pendant around his neck before going limp. Noah lost the last of his composure and allowed the Gate to take him back to the present.