Next chapter is up. I have no rights to any of the characters besides my OCs. Please review and enjoy!
Previously:
Later that Night…
They were watching television, the news of the treaty playing, when she saw his eyes go distant as he played with the flames in his hand nonchalantly. She watched him for a short while before taking his other hand, jolting him from his thoughts. He looked at her and offered her a small smile of reassurance making the flame disappear.
"I'm still here," he said and she nodded.
"Good, because I need you," she smiled and he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer to him on the couch.
She snuggled against him, resting her head against his chest.
"Forever until the end, right?" she whispered; sleep threatening to take her.
"Right," Nyx said watching her fall asleep.
The Next Day…
They stood at the main gate; Nyx, Libertus, Cyla, and Crowe.
"A hairpin? Didn't think you were into that sort of thing," Nyx mused and Crowe rolled her eyes.
"It's not for me. It's for the Princess. But that's classified so don't say anything," she said and Cyla smiled at the younger woman.
Crowe turned to them.
"Well, I should be going," she said and looked at Cyla.
"You really think I handle the King's magic better than you? Or were you just saying that?" she asked quietly and Cyla smiled at her.
"I'm pretty sure I said a little bit better than me and no I wasn't just saying that. You can create fiery tornados and I can…warp. There's a little difference," she mused and Crowe laughed, feeling pretty good about herself.
Libertus nodded.
"And listen, I know you don't like hearing this, but you're like a little sis—"
"—little sister to you guys, yeah, you're right, I don't like hearing it," she cut Libertus off, but shot the group a small smile.
Then she hopped into the van and was gone.
"I have to get to the hospital. See you guys later," Cyla said waving them off and leaving.
A Few Hours Later…
Cyla was in happier spirits. There were no casualties and no grieving families today. She just did a lot of bandaging and stitching. Her shift was nearing an end and she planned on celebrating when she got off.
"Hey Cyla, did you see this?" a hospital nurse turned on the television.
Cyla's eyes widened seeing the Oracle is Insomnia. Her eyes searched the screen for Crowe, but didn't see her. She shook it off. She probably got her there and then got reassigned. The Kingsglaive never really got credit where credit was due. She continued on with her work.
"We have a body coming in, prep the room," a doctor said appearing by the door and Cyla sighed.
She almost made it through the day without a casualty. She prepped the room and waited.
As they brought the body in, her eyes widened and her breathing hitched. She felt as if she was hit hard in the chest by a red giant.
"Crowe?" she gasped and the doctor looked at her.
"You know the deceased?" the doctor asked and Cyla felt the tears trail down her cheeks.
"That's—that's Crowe Altius. She's a member of the Kingsglaive. I need you to get in contact with Captain Drautos immediately," she got out before breaking down in hysterics.
The doctor sent a nurse to make the calls. Cyla walked up to Crowe and touched her cheek.
"I'm so sorry Crowe. I'm—I'm so sorry," she cried hugging the young woman tightly.
The doctor walked up to her and she tensed.
"I need to examine the body," he said softly and she nodded but didn't move.
She stared at Crowe and brushed some hair from her face.
"Forever until the end, old friend," she whispered and forced herself to move back.
A short while later there was a commotion outside and she knew Libertus was there. The doctor left and Cyla watched the nurses place Crowe in a body bag zipped up to her neck. She covered her mouth, suppressing a sob when Libertus rushed in with Nyx close behind him. She watched as Libertus dropped his crutches in shock and stumbled over to the body. Nyx stood at the door silently.
Silence.
Silence.
Cyla made a beeline for the door and Nyx stopped her, grabbing her arm.
"Nyx, p-please, I n-need some air," she choked out and shrugged him off, disappearing down the corridor.
Into the Night…
Nyx sat at his desk going through Crowe's belongings. He hadn't seen Cyla since the hospital. He rubbed his eyes, thinking over his fight with Libertus. Everything was falling apart. A knock on his door startled him and he stood up, walking over to it. He pulled it open and his eyes widened seeing Cyla there. Her cheeks were red and puffy and her eyes were still swollen.
"Hey," she whispered her voice low and hoarse.
As if she'd been crying for hours.
"Hey," he said back and she felt her vision blur.
He stepped back and she walked in quickly, stopping in the middle of the room.
"I should have pushed harder to go in her place," she cried and shattered, burying her face in her hands.
Nyx rushed over to her and wrapped his arms around her in a crushing hug. He buried his head into the crook of her neck as she gripped his shirt tightly, crying into his shoulder.
"Who—who could do that to her?!" she cried unable to understand the past few hours.
Nyx's grip tightened.
"I don't know," he whispered and after a moment she quieted and seemed to get her composure again.
Silence.
"Can I stay here the night? I don't want to be alone," she whispered weakly and Nyx nodded.
"You're always welcomed here," he said softly and she offered him a weak smile.
He wiped some fresh tears from her eyes and brushed some hair from her face. He kissed her cheeks and she closed her eyes.
"Thank you," she whispered.
The Next Day…
Nyx had woken up before her and was staring at Crowe's belongings; particularly her watch, which he noticed had stopped working.
Silence.
His eyes widened and he shot up and ran over to the bed. He shook Cyla awake and she shot up.
"Did you bring your laptop?" he asked and she nodded wiping the sleep from her eyes.
"Yeah, you know I bring it everywhere," she yawned.
"If I give you coordinates, can you plot them?" he asked and she nodded.
"Sure, but what's going on?" she asked and he showed her the watch.
Cyla sat at Nyx's desk, typing furiously into her laptop as he ran off the coordinates. She still wasn't sure what he was up too, as he was pretty vague when he left in a hurry. She read off the street numbers as he read off the coordinates.
"I owe you one for this," he said and she smiled.
"Okay, then tell me what you're up to exactly," she inquired.
Silence.
"I think the treaty signing is a set up. I think the princess was taken and I believe Niflheim forces are hovering outside of Insomnia's wall ready to strike," he answered.
Silence.
"Cy?" he called and she stared at the screen wide eyed.
Silence.
"Cyla?" he called firmer and she blinked.
"Tell me where to meet you," she said quickly.
"I'm going straight to the top on this one. I can't reach the captain," he said and she closed her laptop.
"I'll meet you there."
The King's Palace...
Cyla was just arriving when Nyx came jogging down the stairs.
"What did he say?" she asked matching his pace.
"He wants us to gather the others and go retrieve the princess," he said and Cyla furrowed her eyebrows.
"All of us?" she asked and Nyx looked at her.
"You don't agree?" he inquired and she shook her head.
"He wants to send all of his Kingsglaive to rescue the princess? The treaty is being signed here in Insomnia and he is sending all of his Kingsglaive to rescue the princess outside the border. Shouldn't some stay behind with him?" she asked and Nyx thought about it.
"What are you thinking?" he asked and she looked at him.
"It makes no sense for all of us to go. I'll stay behind with a small contingent to guard the King," she said and he shook his head and stopped short.
"I want you with me," he said and before she could speak he did.
"You're one of our best fighters with and without the King's magic. I could use you there in case things go south," he covered and after a moment she nodded.
"Okay," she said and they went to gather the other Kingsglaive.
One Hour Later...
They had gathered all of the Kingsglaive available and were about to head out when Cyla paused. Nyx stopped, realizing she wasn't following him and walked over to her quickly.
"What's wrong?" he asked and she looked at him.
"I can't go with you," she said and his eyes widened.
Before he could speak she spoke.
"Do you trust me?" she whispered and he nodded.
"You know I do," he said without hesitation.
"Then I need you to trust me on this and not question it. I have to find Luche," she said and Nyx didn't like the look on her face.
She looked scared.
"He said he'd meet us there with the drop ship," Nyx said and Cyla shook her head.
"Yeah, but I have a strong feeling he won't. So I need you to listen to me. I need you to know that I would never betray you, ever. Do you understand?" she whispered and he frowned.
"Why are you telling me this?" he asked firmly.
She moved closer to him and he could see now her eyes were glassy. It shook him.
"Nyx, keep your eyes open over there. Don't—don't trust anyone," she whispered and his eyes widened.
"Cy—"
"—anyone Nyx. But me," she repeated firmly.
And then she kissed him. It was a strong kiss and he couldn't help but feel a small goodbye mixed in with all the emotions surrounding it. He returned it just as strongly his hands coming up to her cheeks. When she pulled away she rested her forehead against his and placed both hands on his cheeks, closing her eyes.
"Why does this feel like you're saying goodbye?" he choked out confused and she opened her eyes and looked at him, his eyes searching hers.
Silence.
"I'll go with you," he breathed weakly and she smiled at him.
He cleared his throat, his emotions getting the better of him.
"I'll go with you," he said firmer and she brushed his cheek tenderly.
Then she shook her head slowly.
"The King gave you an order. You need to save the princess," she whispered and Nyx stared at her.
Silence.
"Forever, until the end, right?" she asked and he forced a reluctant nod.
"Right," he choked out, unsure of why he felt so much dread.
"I'll find you, I promise," she said and then she took off back to Insomnia.
Into the Night...
Nyx lay on the cold ground, bleeding from two gunshot wounds. Luche walked out and he felt his blood run cold. His eyes widened.
"Where's Cyla?" he asked quickly and Luche stared at him in disbelief.
"You're lying on the ground with two bullets in your gut and that's your first question? Maybe you did love her after all," he realized.
"Where is she?!" Nyx yelled at his former comrade angrily.
"She confronted me about my words the other day when Crowe was assigned to the infiltration mission in Tenebrae. She realized that I didn't want her to go because I knew the one who went would be killed. I tried to talk her into seeing my point of view. She did not. There was nothing else I could do," he stated sadly and Nyx struggled to his feet.
"You son of a—" he cried out as Luche kicked him in the stomach sending him to the ground in pain.
"I'm impressed. Crowe couldn't even handle one hollowed out bullet ripping into her insides and here you are handling two. Come on Nyx see reason! They took our homes! The very King you're dying for sacrificed us, his people, for his son! Why do you still fight for him?!" he snapped and walked towards the princess.
"Run!" Nyx yelled and Lunafreya backed up as Luche approached her.
"Why do you fight for this girl you barely know?!" he seethed ripping the ring from her hands and raising his gun to her head.
"Luche!" Cyla called from a few feet away.
He turned to her shocked, his gun raised defensively.
"Cyla?" he whispered in disbelief.
"Cy?" Nyx breathed in shock.
Silence.
Silence.
She took another step forward and held out her hand.
"I tried to stop them, I swear," he said and she nodded.
"I know," she choked out.
"Please tell me you've reconsidered. There's still time. I can still persuade them," he said; a tinge of hope in his voice.
Cyla stared at him as he lowered his gun.
"I'm not sure you can," she whispered and he shook his head.
"I'll fix everything, I promise."
Silence.
"I'm s-so tired of f-fighting Luche," she whispered shakily and Luche nodded in understanding.
"Then join me sister. And finally rest," he said and she sighed.
"Rest sounds...great," she gave in and a relieved smile broke out onto his face.
He looked like her brother again for a moment. Then his smile faded.
"And him? You'd leave him behind?" he asked firmly gesturing towards Nyx.
Cyla looked at Nyx briefly before looking back at her brother.
"Let me have a moment to try to make him see reason. If there's hope for me then there's hope for him," she offered and Luche nodded.
Nyx's eyes widened and he felt his heart in his throat.
"That's fine by me," Luche said warmly.
She began to walk over to Nyx and halfway there she dropped to one knee unsteadily. Nyx went to move when Luche jogged over to her.
"Let me help you. Once you're healed, we will do great things for the future," he said reaching down and taking her arm to help her up.
Cyla stood slowly.
"I'm so relieved—" Luche was cut off as she hugged him to her, her blade entering through his chest and out his back.
Lunafreya and Nyx gasped; their eyes wide with shock. Tears spilled from Cyla's eyes as she hugged her brother close to her, one hand cradling the back of his head, the other holding onto her hilt tightly.
"Cy-Cyla..." he gasped, blood spilling from his mouth and she let out a sob.
"W-Why?" he choked out and she closed her eyes.
"You know why," she whispered.
They both dropped to their knees and she laid him down, removing the blade from his chest quickly. She brushed his hair back, like she used to do when they were younger. He held out his hand and she took it, squeezing it tightly.
"I'm s-sorry...f-forgive m-me..." he choked out and she nodded quickly and shut her eyes, tears still making their way through.
"I f-forgive you," she breathed shakily.
And then he was gone. His hand went limp in hers and she stared at him wide eyed.
He finally looked peaceful.
Silence.
Lunafreya ran over to Nyx, kneeling down to his aid.
Silence.
Cyla slowly took the ring from Luche's hand.
"Cy," Nyx called, but she didn't look at him.
She stared at the ring and briefly wondered how something so small could harbor so much power and bring so much pain and destruction.
Silence.
She stood up, slow and unsteady. She tore her eyes away from her brother and began to walk towards Nyx. She was halfway there when her knees buckled and she dropped to the ground with a thud.
"No—no, Cy, get up! Come on, on your feet!" Nyx yelled and struggled to get to his feet.
Lunafreya stopped him.
"I'll bring her to you. Please try not to move too much," she said softly and stood, rushing over to Cyla.
She knelt down and Cyla looked up at her.
"Princess," she acknowledged and Lunafreya smiled at her kindly.
"Please allow me to help you," she offered softly and Cyla nodded slowly.
Lunafreya took Cyla's arm and helped her stand. Cyla winced, her hand coming up to her side. The two women carefully walked over to Nyx, and when they made it, Lunafreya helped Cyla sit beside him. He moved closer to her, his hands on her cheeks immediately.
"Look at me," he whispered and she did.
He was worried, she could tell, his eyes skimming over her.
"I thought I lost you for a second there," he tried to muse and she offered him a dazed smile.
"I promised I'd find you first," she mumbled, her eyes growing heavy.
He shook her.
"Cy, stay awake; stay with me," he pleaded and she took in a shaky breath and tried to open her eyes more.
"I should have got here sooner..." she trailed off and he shook his head.
"What are you talking about? You were right on time," he tried and a tear slipped from her eye as she touched his stomach, causing him to flinch.
"It's a flesh wound," he lied and she carefully opened her cloak exposing the deep stab wound covering her side.
"So is mine," she shot back and a quiet tear slipped down his cheek as he stared at the wound wide eyed.
She wiped it gently and he shook his head slowly.
"I should have gone with you," he whispered and she shook her head.
"You were right where you needed to be. She wouldn't have made it this far without you."
"If I had gone with you, you wouldn't be—" his voice caught in his throat on the final word.
Silence.
She brushed his hair back.
"If you had gone with me the princess would be dead and all of those who have died, would have died for nothing," she whispered opening her hand and offering the ring to Lunafreya.
Lunafreya took it gently.
Silence.
Tears fell from Cyla's eyes and Nyx grabbed her cheeks and forced her to look at him.
"I know why he did it. I know the anger he felt for the King. But to act on it? To betray everything and everyone we've ever known? I loved him. But he killed Crowe and he shot you," she choked out.
"I should have been smarter. I knew it wasn't just him involved, but I didn't know just how many traitors were among us. And when I did know it was too late," she coughed, blood spilling from her lips.
Nyx winced and wiped the blood away with his thumb.
"They gave me a choice. Join with them or die with you," she whispered and Nyx stared at her unblinking.
Silence.
Cyla smirked slightly.
"And I've said it before...I'd follow you anywhere..." she mused and he kissed her.
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