Final Fantasy XV - Kingdom Hearts
Part 29
Summary: Two warriors of Light, the Chosen King and Keyblade Master, face an unseen Darkness.
As the sun's beams pierced through the thin curtains, gently filling the room with light of the new day, Kairi shifted and squinted her eyes before she slowly opened them with a small yawn escaping her lips.
Blinking to rid herself of the sleepiness, Kairi lets out a small sigh when she feels the warmth of something soft against her, slowly looking up. She sees Sora's still sleeping form, content and relaxed, then she remembers he was still shirtless.
Grinning madly, Kairi rested her head on his chest after carefully shifting him to lay on his back, relishing in his strong chest and the gentle beat of his heart, the heart that belonged to her. She couldn't shake off that giddiness and joy that was running through her body, the words Sora had said to her yesterday, those words she had been waiting to hear for so many years had finally come from his mouth.
Letting out a dreamy sigh, she threw one arm around his toned stomach and allowed herself to relax despite the sun's beams persisting them to wake up and face the day. But the bad guys could wait a little longer right? Then as the arm around herself was pulling her closer into him, making her grin when she glanced up to see a lazy smile and still waking eyes. 'Morning', he yawned, looking at his girlfriend.
'Hello~', she said with a grin.
Sora shifted to sit up with his back against the headboard of the bed with Kairi moving to the rest her head against his shoulder, still looking up at him with innocence and serenity. Sora gently ran a hand through her red hair, making her sigh in delight as her arm draped around his waist, enjoying the warmth from him. 'What time is it?', she asked lazily. Grabbing his phone from the stand nearest to them, Sora hummed something about it being earlier than they usually wake up.
Kairi slowly, regretfully, sat up on her knees and let out one more yawn before stretching. 'Do you think Ignis got up already?', she inquired. 'Knowing him? Probably already on his third ebony', Sora said playfully before pulling a face. 'I dunno how he drinks that stuff, it's so bitter'. 'I happen to like it, actually', she teased with a smirk, 'I dunno why but when I finish, I feel more energy'.
'Didn't know you liked bitter drinks', Sora confessed, often recalling she had an affinity for sweeter things. Kairi rolled her eyes in response before she ran both hands through her hair to puff it out and rid some of the bed hair. 'Believe or not, Axel used to bring every time we start training', she explained, 'Says it's a good way to help wake you up'. At the mention of the pyro, Kairi's face turned into a frown as she sat against the headboard, thinking of her partner in training.
'You miss him?', Sora asked.
'Yeah…I guess', she mused, 'We just, gotten close during our training, you know?'. Sora nodded in understanding as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. 'I hope he's doing okay…I mean, I know we were about to quote unquote finish our training, but after all this, I feel like it was subpar…', she said with a deeper frown. 'Well maybe he's training with Ven? Aqua did say he was the least experience between the three of them', Sora offered. 'Yeah, I hope so'.
Then Sora kissed her cheek, earning a little squeak from the girl. 'Can you imagine how Axel's gonna react to your new powers? He'll flip out when he sees your form changes!', Sora said excitedly. Smiling back with equal smugness, Kairi nodded, 'True! Bet he wouldn't expect that from me so soon~'.
Deciding not to worry about her friend, she deduced she had a golden opportunity at her doorstep. Sora was still shirtless; they were on their own without any chances of Prompto interrupting (she memorized his sleeping patterns for this one moment) and likely excluding Ignis they were the only ones up at this moment. Kairi shifted to place each leg on Sora's side, resting on his knees, she placed her hands on his shoulders.
She leaned in and kissed him full on the lips, the boy blushed before he succumbs to the wonderous sensation she was pouring into him and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close against his body as their eyes went shut. Making out on the bed, tasting each other while memorizing it, Sora's warm body against her thin white shirt and his strong arms around her made her swoon with delight.
Kissing her jawline then her cheeks as Kairi giggled at him, she ran her hands through his wonderous soft spiky locks. They eventually started to lie down again with the girl resting on top of Sora as they kissed, his hands firmly resting on her hips.
Breaking their kiss for air, they stared at each other, eyes glowed from love and that wonderous connection of theirs. Her face was flushed and red with a bit of pink reaching her ears, hair an absolute mess but to Sora she looked radiant, stunning even.
Then before they dove in for another round of making out, there was a gentle knock on the door. 'Guys, you awake?', called a voice sounding like Noctis. They both held their groans in spite, before giggling quietly. Rolling off Sora, Kairi said: 'Yeah we're awake'. As she and Sora got out of bed and the latter heading into the bathroom to grab his discarded gear while Kairi dressed properly into her gear. Once they were presentable, they answered the door to see indeed Noctis at the entrance.
'Morning Noct', Kairi greeted, but then glanced down and spotted Umbra by the prince's boots, wagging his tail at the girl excitedly. Smiling, she crouched and petted his furry head. 'And good morning to you too, Umbra', she cooed.
'Luna sent another letter?', Sora asked with a friendly smile. 'Yeah, I've just finished with mine and Umbra here wanted to deliver one more to Kairi', Noctis explained, gesturing the pup in question. Allowing the prince and dog to enter their room, Kairi took the letter for her from the pup and read it aloud for the boys to hear.
"Greetings, Princess Kairi
My deepest apologizes for the delay of this letter, much has transpired since last we spoke to each other. I am grateful to you for your words of caution regarding my brother Ravus. I wish I had more uplifting news or word he has renounced the darkness that man in black has given him, but alas he remains as stubborn as a dog with a bone (don't tell Umbra I said that).
I shan't give up on him though, I know there is a chance to make him see what the cost will be should he exploit the power of darkness.
I do not intend on this letter being full of dreaded news or worries, as I am certain your own battles and struggles have brought you your own troubles. It is refreshing to speak with someone else, especially one who understands what power of light requests from us.
If possible, could you perhaps tell me more of this "beloved" of yours? Forgive me if this seems too personal, but I'm curious myself about him. In turn I could offer you insight to Prince Noctis. And yes, I have given Umbra extra tummy rubs as per your request.
May your heart be your guiding Key, my dear
Lunafreya".
Smiling at the letter although saddened by the news of her brother's stubbornness, Kairi gave Umbra a few scratches around his neck before she went to work on her reply while Sora and Noctis sat on the bed, conversing on today's ventures.
'So, we've got three royal arms left, where do we start?', Sora asked as Umbra hopped onto the bed with Noctis. The prince petted the pup while looking at Sora. 'I've asked Specs what's first and he said the closest one here is near the Vesperpool, hidden somewhere in the wooded region', he explained. 'Weren't we there the day before yesterday? How come we didn't go grab it?', Sora asked. Noctis shrugged in reply. 'Figured we've already had the party shortened to seven and we were in a hurry to get the mythril, must have slipped'.
'At least we know where it is', Kairi said as she wrote her letter, 'And the woods didn't look that far from what I remembered'.
'Nah, just north from the Haven at the entrance, we're gonna go on foot when we get there', Noctis said with a sigh, 'More mucking through the mud'. Sora laughed in response to the prince's laziness just as the door opened, revealing Ignis. 'Everyone alright?', he asked. 'Yeah, just going over the plan with these two lazy brats', Noctis said with a smirk. 'Excuse you!', Kairi said, turning around to the prince, 'We're not the ones who slept in until twelve in the afternoon!'. 'Hey, I was exhausted!'.
'Noct, you slept in until one in the afternoon after doing nothing the day before', Ignis reminded with a subtle smirk. The prince grunted in annoyance at the betrayal of his advisor while Sora and Kairi giggled. When he saw Umbra, Ignis glanced at Kairi and asked: 'Has the Oracle wrote to you again?'. Kairi nodded and after finishing her last paragraph, she turned in her seat and said: 'Yes, and she says Ravus hasn't stopped using the darkness'.
Noctis frowned at this information before scoffing. 'Well that's his loss, if Luna's warning him not to then he's got only himself to blame', he said gruffly. Kairi frowned in response to the prince but before she spoke up, Ignis intervened. 'Kairi, have asked the Oracle about Xigbar, or perhaps anything on the imperial army? Perhaps she heard something about them?', Ignis questioned. 'MMM…no, I haven't', Kairi said shaking her head, 'I've just told her what's been happening to us and a few friendly chats here and there'.
'No sense in overwhelming her either', Noctis said with an agreeing nod. Ignis hummed in response despite his own inquires. Kairi placed the letter into envelope and placed it into Umbra's pouch and gave him a few more belly rubs and scratches before the dog yipped in gratitude and skedaddled out of the room off to do his task.
Kairi watched the pup disappear into the hallway with a dreamy sigh. '…Sora, when this is all over, I'm getting a puppy', she announced. Sora rolled his eyes before Noctis and Ignis chuckled in response. 'Is everyone else up and ready to go?', Noctis asked, looking at the older man. Ignis let out a sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose. 'Mostly, excluding Gladiolus and Aqua', he said.
'Huh? Why?', Sora asked, remembering Aqua was the second person who got up after Ignis. The man turned to the boy. 'I'm not entirely certain, Prompto went to get them but all he got from them was groans…his words were, and I quote: "Groans that sounded like dying sabertusks".
The three laughed at the comparison as Ignis smiled at his own report. 'Do you think they're sick?', Sora asked after his laughter ceased. 'I doubt it', Ignis said with a shake of his head. 'Gladio is as healthy as a chocobo and Aqua likely has a high tolerance to being sick'. Kairi got off her chair. 'I'll go check on them and see if they need some healing magic, maybe they're just sore from the trial?', she offered.
'That would good of you', Ignis said gratefully, 'We've a long drive ahead of us'. Nodding and giving Sora a quick peck on the cheeks, Kairi left the room and headed for her master's.
Recalling they were a floor up from memory, she proceeded to take the stairs up while smiling at the other hotel guests and walking at a slow pace to enjoy the peace and quiet before the adventure would commence. Arriving at their room, she gently knocked on the door and called their names. Like Prompto she got a response that sounded like dying cows and swears she heard Gladiolus gruffly telling her to "leave them alone to die in peace".
Now she was worried and after checking the coast was clear she summoned her keyblade and unlocked the door and quickly entered it. Inside she sees the curtains were still closed and the room was dimly lit with their curtains being thicker and only from the bottom could the light enter their room. Kairi quietly approached the two beds and sees Gladiolus' head was currently sheltered by a pillow while Aqua had her sheets over herself entirely and looked to be curled up in a ball.
'Guys?', the princess asked softly as she lowered closer to Aqua. 'What happened? Are you guys alright?'.
She heard Gladiolus groan under his pillow and uttered something. 'Kairi…do me a favour?', he asked with his voice sounding so tired and agonized at once. 'W-What Gladio?', she asked. 'Take my sword…and just smash my head in and put me out of my misery…'.
'Do me next please…', Aqua whined from her cocoon of sheets.
Kairi frowned with worry before she grabbed the sheets and took them off Aqua to reveal her master looking as if she had just barely survived a touch of death. Aqua whined when the light hit her, hap hazardously grabbing for a pillow to block the light from her. 'Kairi, give my quilt back', pleaded the master. 'Guys what exactly did you two do last night?', Kairi asked, no longer worried but more curious than anything else.
'Making a mistake…', Gladiolus informed her. 'A big one…'.
'What does that mean?', Kairi asked exasperatedly. She leaned into to check Aqua but then backed away with a groan. 'Ugh Aqua, you reek!', she groaned, pinching her nose. Aqua huffed in response before grabbing her pillow and slamming it on her head. Kairi glared at Gladiolus, no doubt smelling the same as her master. The smell wasn't anything she had smelled before, and it wasn't the worst either, but it was enough for her stomach to churn.
'Well? Care to explain why you both stink?', Kairi asked, her voice was louder than before. This caused them both to flinch in pain and groan. 'Kairi, indoor voice please!', Aqua begged. Kairi looked to Aqua, confused. However, she summoned her keyblade and lifted it up and uttered softly "Curaga". Enveloping the two in a green light with florals and greenery, the two let out breaths of relief as Aqua removed her pillow and blinked a few moments, no longer looking like death. She rolled onto her side to see Kairi dismissing her keyblade.
'Thanks…oh god my stomach', Aqua whimpered, rubbing her stomach. 'Now will you tell me what happened? Why did you guys look so sick and what was that smell?', Kairi asked. At this, Aqua looked down in shame before sighing. 'We…well, we went out to…for a few drinks', she explained weakly. Kairi's eyes widened with surprise. 'W-Wait, you mean, you got drunk last night?', she asked, genuinely surprised. 'Regretfully…yes', confessed Aqua.
'Which is why we both smelled like we just walked out a brewery that caught fire', Gladiolus said a grunt, rubbing his neck awkwardly. Kairi looked between both with sympathy, now knowing just what it was that pained them so. Despite never indulging in things like that she heard of the horror stories of alcohol and the agonizing pain that was what most referred to as "hangovers". "Note to self, do not take a sip of alcohol", she thought to herself as Aqua slowly brought her feet to the ground with a grunt.
'Sorry for this, Kairi', Aqua apologized, shame laced in her tone. Kairi frowned and patted her master's back. 'Its ok. I mean, after everything you've been through you've kinda earned it, right?', Kairi said kindly in an assuring manner. 'Didn't mean I shouldn't have been hungover and have my student care for me', Aqua said in response. Kairi giggled and smiled warmly. 'A master shouldn't also have to make sure her student doesn't go world hopping with a magic object she didn't know how to use right?', Kairi said with a small tease.
Aqua looked back at her with a frown that broke into a small smile, nodding. 'True', she mused, 'Thanks Kairi'. Kairi's smile widened warmly as her master stood up and rolled her shoulders. 'I'd hug you…but serious Aqua, you smell…really badly', Kairi said, hands raised in her defence. Aqua frowned at her but said nothing, probably knew it herself. 'We'll clean ourselves up and meet you guys down in the lobby', Gladiolus said as he rubbed his face.
'Sure', Kairi said with a nod, 'See you guys later'. With that Kairi left the bedroom and once the door closed, there was nothing but an awkward silence between the two. Aqua quietly headed for the bathroom to clean herself up, not even glancing at Gladiolus while the latter kept his face fixed on the ground.
Inside the shower after folding her clothes onto the sink, knowing the magic would clean them itself, she hopped into the shower and allowed the hot water to rain down on her. All the while Aqua glanced at herself in the mirror after casting a spell to keep the steam from fogging it up. She placed a hand on her scar, seeing it has finally healed into a proper scar that forever reminded her of where and why she got it.
A mark of a warrior Terra once said she recalled.
Yet even as she tried to think on other subjects her mind went back to last night as she gently placed two fingers on her lips in thought, eyes downcast. As many gaps as there were in her memory of the previous night, she remembered enough to know what she did.
Kissing…Gladiolus.
Even the mere thought made her cheeks rosy and heartbeat quicken. Romance was something, is something, she has so little experience in it was borderline insane. Even when that warrior asked her for a date, she was lucky she didn't swallow her tongue and came up with an excuse to decline his offer.
The only experience she had with men was with just with Terra and Ven, but she sees them as best friends or brothers at this point. With Noctis and company she saw them as good friends, now with Gladiolus she wasn't so sure about it. The man had been a great pillar of support for her during their trial together, their talks had done much for her confidence and faith in herself felt like it was slowly being reconstructed within her heart.
Together fighting their way through the grounds, each regaining themselves and strength they never knew could be summoned, she started to see him different then, no more a companion but a good friend, someone she could confine in. A treasured brother in arms.
Except…she didn't.
Instead she started to look at him differently than any other man she had met, not as a friend but more of someone she had come to care for more than just a friendly concern. Getting drunk with him had opened her eyes to all sorts of things she never knew she was missing out on, and excluding the hangover she endured this morning, she had a blast. Aqua felt like she wasn't being a master with him, she didn't have to worry about anything aside from how many beverages she was going to consume (which she failed miserably at) and just enjoy his company.
During their drinks she told him stories of her own childhood during her years as Eraqus' apprentice, how she met Ven and Terra, growing up with dreams of becoming a master and all kinds of mischief her brothers caused with her getting roped along with. The shield told her his own tales of youth and how he trained to be Noctis' shield, how he went from begrudgingly serving him to becoming his brother in arms.
She remembers nothing but them talking about just about anything of their tasks at hand, how they dealt with the stress, the expectations of themselves and their charges, and how much this journey had changed them. All the while he spoke Aqua knew she was taking in him unashamedly, slowly realizing just how attractive he was to her. Sure, he was more muscular than she'd like but that was part of his charm, she could imagine being wrapped into his arms and feel like nothing could harm her.
His tattoos were also impressive, and they added to his appeal, the bird on his chest she understood was an Amicitia tradition amongst them to get a tattoo of a bird. Not only was he physically attractive to her, but he was in spirit too. Sure, he can be a smart-aleck and a bit of a hard-ass on Noctis, but she knows that's because he has high expectations of the prince and knows he's better than he lets on. Plus, he's protective of their friends, and is aware he'd go to any lengths to shield them all from whatever comes their way.
She kept it close to herself though, this wasn't the time for her to start looking for a boyfriend in a time like this. Between their battle with empire and soon hers and the others battle with Xehanort, hooking up shouldn't be on her list of priorities. Yet when she was intoxicated with enough idea to know what she was doing, she still kissed him. And not only did she enjoy it…
She loved it.
Having him against her body, those arms around her frame pulling her close to him as their kiss grew warmer and heated, it was a feeling she couldn't put into any other way than…magical.
She grunted and pressed her head against the wall, frustrated. 'You idiot…why did you do that?', she berated herself. Now that she's done it, this awkwardness between them had begun to construct and likely it'll remain there until she or he finally address it. Which means she'd have to explain how she felt about him…and she didn't even know if this was just an infatuation due to their journey that will possibly disappear into the wind like nothing happened. Or worse…she'd fall for him.
'You can't fall in love with him…not now…not…ever', she sighed.
Looking at herself in the mirror again, she looked away and finished her shower…
Outside the bathroom, Gladiolus was laying on the bed in deep thought staring at the ceiling with a look on his face. Try as he might to think of anything that could occupy his thoughts, maybe his thoughts on the fight with the Blademaster, how he felt better than ever after that battle, or maybe even ask Sora or Riku for a sparring session to see how strong he got. Heck maybe even give Iris a call and ask her how things are back at Cape Caem.
But no, he couldn't even do that. All his thought went back to that woman in blue, and how conflicted he was. Grunting frustratedly, he turned on his side and tried to stop thinking about her yet every time he did conjure up a different subject it'd only trace back to her and the whole inner struggle would start anew. It was like she had taken over his mind.
"Damn it Amicitia! You're not a damn lovestruck teenager! You're the freaking shield to the prince!", he lashed inwardly. Yet still the woman still dominated most of his thoughts as the man sighed in defeat and laid on his back, like he just gave up a long fight he knew he couldn't win. That kiss, that damn kiss he stupidly allowed himself to submit to hadn't left his mind at all even during his hungover.
He was no stranger to women; he's had plenty of experiences in the fields of relationships for certain. But none of them were serious, being a shield to the prince doesn't offer a lot of free time to allow relationships to flourish and develop. He knew this back in school years and his education as a shield, hence why any relationship he had ever were fleeting and mostly just once offs. And for a while he used to think it would be the same with Aqua.
Sadly no. Instead the woman went from this other world ally to a close friend of his to someone he has nothing but the highest respect for and admiration. She had endured nearly twelve years of solitude, trapped in a place full of darkness and monsters, taunted and tormented by illusions of her inner demons and failings yet she persevered, all to make sure one day she'd see her friends again. The level of protection she'd do for her apprentice, that big sister concern reminded him of how he and Iris were as kids.
She'd make a good shield for Noctis if anything were to happen to him, that he had absolutely no doubt on. Yet now where he once looked at her as a comrade, he couldn't see her like that anymore. The woman had somehow become more important to him, like a part his heart was etched by hers. It also didn't help him that he found her to be this exotic beauty that could only exist in some of the books he's read in the past.
Her blue hair was so exotic to him, her clothes gave her this other world aura around her, how she handled herself in battle with grace of a dancer yet the strength of a behemoth. Her eyes, damn it her eyes, he couldn't even describe how beautiful they were to him. Sure, blue eyes were a common set most Lucians had, heck even Noctis has some pretty ones but Aqua's ones were something else entirely.
That trial did more than help them grow stronger, he knew it helped bring them closer as friends, seeing her at her lowest point as well as his own, both building support to help the other to rise to challenge their demons. And now that kiss, he knew he couldn't look at her the same way as he used to anymore. He knew he shouldn't have done it, and he will forever take that responsibility but when she kissed him, suddenly he didn't want to stop.
He's kissed plenty of women but where's that was all lust and just flirty, this one felt more than that. It felt like genuine passion for each other, like this wasn't just for physical cravings or anything smutty, just…for a lack of a better word, pure.
"You can't do that to her! You're the shield of the Chosen King! And she's a master!", he chastised, "You really think you and her could make that work out!?".
Gritting his teeth, he was starting to get angry at *himself* for pointing out that crucial flaw, like he just wanted to shut himself up. Before he did something less stupid than potentially lead Aqua on, said woman came out of the bathroom, dressed in her gear and ready for the day. Quietly she clutched her hand and cleared her throat, signalling him that she was done. With a nod and a soft "thanks" escaping his mouth, the shield entered the bathroom.
As Aqua waited for him to be done and Gladiolus let the water wash away last night's scent, both thought the same thing.
"I'm in love…".
*Later*
As the cars were packed up with supplies, good mornings were given and after some discussion on the location, everyone had gotten ready to venture forth. The royal retinue would use the Regalia while Aqua took the keyblade wielders in her own car now dubbed by Prompto as "Wayfinder II", (she didn't argue with it, thinking it'd be perfect) and Donald and Goofy would take the Chocobos since the woodlands wasn't too far from Lestallum.
However, before Gladiolus hopped into the car, he was approached by Sora and Goofy. 'Hey, Noct told us you don't have a shield anymore', Sora said, smiling at the shield. 'Yeah…been meaning to pick one up from the hunters later', Gladiolus said, recalling his lack of a shield. 'Actually, Goofy's got one for you', the boy said.
The captain showed Gladiolus a colourful but impressively made shield before him. A large, circular shield with a triangular bump on the top, bottom, and sides. The border of the shield has a very thin, yellow outline and is mainly blue, except for the areas near the bumps, which are sky blue. The most prominent feature of the shield is the massive, black canine head protruding from the centre.
The head sports long ears, circular, pupil-less, pale yellow eyes (as well as a similar eye on its forehead), and a snarling mouth filled with long, sharp teeth. The head's tongue seems to be blue and it wears a silver, spiked collar around its neck.
'Holy crap…what kind of shield is this?', Gladiolus asked, amazed. 'This is the Defender', Goofy said, handing it to the man, 'One of the heartless using this shield dropped it years ago, helped us a lot back in the day'. Gladiolus gave the two a very cautious look, looking at the weapon with a glare. 'Its…not gonna corrupt me is it?', he asked, knowing how risky using darkness is. 'Don't worry', Sora promised, 'When the heartless dropped it the darkness around it disappeared, its just a regular shield now'.
Equipping the shield with some hesitance, Gladiolus lifted it up and after some swings, he smirks in approval. 'Its light…', he commented. He punched the air with it and after a few more swings with it, he nods in approval and dismisses it into the armiger pocket dimension. 'Thanks, Goofy', he said with genuine gratitude. 'No worries pal, what's a shield of a king without a shield?', Goofy said with a good-natured smile.
Gladiolus smirked back but then he glanced at Aqua who was looking at the map Ignis had and showed her the directions to the Vesperpool. The blue haired woman looked up at him for a moment, but then awkwardly returned her eyes back to the map. His smirk faded into disappointment, which did not go unnoticed by Sora and Goofy, who looked at Aqua and back to Gladiolus. 'Hey, you and Aqua ok?', Sora asked.
'...yeah, we're uh, yeah', Gladiolus said, distractedly, and without another word he headed for the Regalia. Leaving the two friends, Goofy and Sora looked at each other with worry but before they could chase the shield, Riku had called them to get ready.
After everyone readies themselves, Ignis drives off with Aqua following behind them, all the while their friends watched the shield and master with worry.
Somehow the reunion of having everyone together again had been tainted by doubt…
*Altissia*
Sitting out on the balcony as the sun beamed down on the city of water, Lunafreya sipped her tea in peace while her guest sat on one of the chairs looking around in the city in wonder and peace. A blond haired that drapes across her left shoulder, rosy cheeks, and pale, pink lips. She wears a white dress that ends at her thighs in an embroidered lace pattern and light blue sandals decorated with yellow flowers. Naminé, in her ethereal form watched the people pass them by in their own littles worlds and going about their days.
'Are you certain you do not wish for anything?', Lunafreya asked, looking at her ghostly friend, 'The imperials wouldn't question why I'm requesting a larger pot'. Naminé smiled gently at her and shook her head. 'I'm afraid you'd be wasting your time. Besides I'm not thirsty', assured the blonde. Lunafreya frowned at this but nodded with a sigh as she lowered her cup onto the small plate. She smiled softly at her. 'Well, hopefully soon Sora will find a way to fix this', she said. 'That way, we can have our tea together'.
Naminé's smile turned more gentle and warmer at the mention of the boy. 'Knowing him? Possibly', she mused warmly. Lunafreya's own smile turned playful and she said: 'He must be quite special if you speak so fondly of him'. Naminé giggled at her and said: 'I can assure you in comparison to Kairi, I'm merely saying he's sweetheart'. 'I cannot wait to meet those two', Lunafreya said.
Naminé nodded in agreement as she watched the city on her left, watching the people. 'If you wish, I can attempt to have my brother to be an escort for us', Lunafreya offered. Naminé shook her head with her smile falling from her face. 'I wish I could take up your offer, but I fear your brother may be strongly against that', she lamented. Ordinarily Lunafreya would have argued with Naminé about her brother, but with her brother diving deeper into the darkness she feared what could potentially happen with him.
Ever since he had returned from that base, he had begun to "train" in mastering his dark powers and obtain even more of it. It had been several days since they last spoke, and every time she had spoke with a soldier to deliver a letter to him or even inquire about him, she was met with silence or her letters would never arrive. There was no doubt in her mind that Ardyn or more likely that man Xigbar had been further tempting him to exploit more of it.
And now that she was practically under house arrest, she couldn't even leave the room without being swarmed by the nobodies or soldiers. 'You're worried about him', Naminé pointed out. 'Yes', Lunafreya confessed, 'My brother, however flawed he may be, has always had his heart in the right place'. Picking up her teacup to sip it, she looked at Naminé. 'Is there anything else you can tell me about the use of the darkness? I understand one of Sora's friends has…experience with such a thing', she said.
Naminé shook her head. 'I'm sorry, but that is something that Riku needs to tell you himself', she stated, 'That is his own story to tell'. Nodding with understanding, the Oracle placed her cup down. 'But what I can tell you, is that if Ravus continues to use the darkness with little concern for his heart then the heartless will swallow his heart'. 'But even if he ceases, the darkness will still linger within his heart, yes? The chances of losing his heart will still be great', Lunafreya commented with thought.
'But I wonder, if I could heal the Blight from daemons, I may be able to push the darkness back and give him time to heal', she mused, brows furrowed in contemplation. 'It is possible…you're the first one I've known who could heal such darkness like the Blight', Naminé praised, 'Then again nobody has ever tried to heal the darkness within the hearts of those who've been using it'.
Naminé then giggled softly. 'But then again, how many Oracles knew about other worlds and the Order?', she teased. Lunafreya smiled coyly in response, giggling in reply to her. 'Not many I'm certain, I shall forever be grateful to his majesty for blessing me with such delicate information', Lunafreya said. 'But also thank you for informing me of Nobodies and Xigbar'. Naminé nodded kindly but then they both turned to hear the door opening.
Much to her dismay it was Xigbar, followed by six imperial soldiers. Luckily for the Oracle, Naminé was only visible to her. Still sitting down on her chair quietly sipping her tea, she calmly turned to the former nobody. 'Greetings Xigbar, is there something you need?', she asked, cordially and coolly. The scarred one-eyed man just smirked at the Oracle and leaned approached her but not close enough to be within arms reach of her.
Even Xigbar wouldn't risk harming her, and not for the reason the imperials behind him may think.
'Hate to bother your lonely tea-party your grace, but you've been summoned by his grace, the emperor', he said. 'Ahh…has he in need of my healing? Or have you filled his mind with more ridiculous stories of ruling the world with the nobodies?', she asked, sipping her tea and not budging from her spot.
'Oh, nothing like that…it involves your brother', Xigbar said, his smirk turning more sinisterly. This got her attention fully and she lowered her teacup with more force than she would have done, nearly breaking the plate beneath it. With her blue eyes carrying fire within them, she glared at the man of the dark. 'What about Ravus?', she asked, even her voice was restraint. Xigbar shrugged innocently and gestured his entourage. 'You'd have to ask his reverence, these guys aren't up for a lot of conversation, you know?'.
Reluctantly she got up from her chair and approached her room before Xigbar stood closer to her. 'I'd be on your best behaviour, your holiness, the emperor has been in a bad mood since the loss of his airship and bases', Xigbar revealed, 'And not to rock the boat here, but he's been more upset with Ravus'. Lunafreya didn't move from where she stood just at the entrance of her room with Xigbar beside her facing the city. 'High-Commander and empowered by the darkness…yet he still screwed up. Not only mistaking that other world kid for Noctis, but he also got his ass handed to him'.
Smirking, he said: 'Losing to a fake and losing a base in one day? Not exactly a good look for him now is it?'. Lunafreya did nothing but stare ahead of her, while Naminé glared heatedly at the scarred man, and if Lunafreya knew the girl well as she believe she would have poured the entire pot of boiling tea down his collar. Lunafreya herself not far from committing such an act unfit for an Oracle and more so for an immature child.
Never had she ever wanted to bring out that immaturity to full malice. But she could perform some malice.
Without a word the Oracle placed a hand on Xigbar's shoulder, glowing in that faint gold light. Xigbar hissed and gritted his teeth as he felt the burning sensation of her light, torching his darkness within him. 'Thank you for informing me of such important matters', Lunafreya said tersely, not even facing him as her light burned his darkness that was practically his blood at this point. 'As thanks for delivering such news about my brother, please accept my light as some…comfort'. Xigbar eventually pulled away from her grasp, staggering back and clutching his shoulder.
Lunafreya followed her imperial guards out of the room with a growling Xigbar trailing behind her, his face contorting into restraint anger while Naminé followed behind them. In the hallway, the smaller blond quickly ran to Lunafreya's side and the Oracle subtly glanced at her. 'Xigbar, where is Ravus currently?', she asked, not facing him. 'I'm meeting him after we escort you…your grace', he said, spitting out the last part. 'Very well', she mused.
She gave Naminé a subtle nod, entrusting her with this task. Arriving to the room where his grace would be waiting for her, the Oracle and the entourage entered without Xigbar. Once she was gone, Xigbar grunted in pain before muttering something profound of the Oracle. 'Can't wait to make you into a heartless…', he promised darkly. With a grunt, he marched down the corridor, unaware of his little tag along.
A/N: Here we go! Another chapter done!
So there's trouble in paradise with Aqua and Gladiolus, and the team knows something is up, can they help these two figure it out? Also, what's happened to Ravus? What does Xigbar have planned for the Oracle? Find out…ehhhhh sometime in the future?
This is the last downtime chapter for a while, next we're gonna be hunting for the royal arms!
Questions:
Q1: Was the Aqua and Gladiolus scene done right?
Q2: What did you think of Gladiolus' new shield?
Q3: How was Lunafreya and Naminé?
Q4: Should Goofy's son be referenced when it comes to Noct and his dad?
Q5: Is there anyone among the royal retinue who needs more attention?
The name of the car was suggested by Guest Isa, which does sound simple, but it fits so thanks for the help!
My random questions:
If you were stuck in a room with any KH character, who would it be?
If your hand got stuck in the vending machine who would you call for help and why?
As always, thanks for reading! Stay awesome but more importantly stay safe!
