Sorry, for the late post. Was having tough time to think out how to develop Noct x Light relation onward.
Here we go.
CHAPTER_3 : Change
It has been couple of month since Kingdom of Lucis began to repel and force their mortal enemy back where they came from.
Tenebrae was stretched thin in numbers even the mightiest of Neflheim failed to prevail and lost lots of their asset. It was surely concerning that Lucis has once again stood up as a threat to Neflheim.
"Prince Noctis, everyone in this room is aware that you will and are a great inspiration in battlefield but leave strategies to Commander." Ignis offered a compliment and head start.
Looking at Noctis surely made everyone come to a point that he was arrogant and still willing to do things his ways when it came to following orders, as a matter of fact his friends were dear to him and will not let them be in harms way.
"Fine." He blurted. crossing his arms and everyone preparing for the final task in hands.
"We know that peace may not last longer until we reach the core of our destruction" Cor Leonis the commander of the Crownsguard addressed the piece of information he gathered throughout his journey behind enemy line.
'This mission will be critical one. Any further delay may cause failure, be sure you are not slacking.'
Zegnautus keep . . . . Night time
The manufacturing installation of Neflheim for Magitek troops was a big deal for both the rivals.
To be here means inviting yourself to be served as a meal for the devil himself and even if you prevent the inevitable, chances of escape were little to what anyone could sort.
The plan was easy to say, Prince Noctis would have to sneak into the crystal chamber and reclaim it's power, While the others made a diversion.
Having crystal energy soaked into the Ring of Lucis would make crystal nothing more than a piece of rock.
Everyone were confined in their thoughts, barely having a conversation and leaving the atmosphere pale.
"Noct, that chick what was her name again?" Prompto asked trying to ease the mind and relax his pal.
Ignis eyed Prompto whereas gladiolus remained silent for the brief moment as they ventured the upcoming destination.
'what? You mean a girl? Noctis confirmed
'duh, ya buddy the one who keeps bothering you and make you blush' Prompto smirked at his comment leaving Noctis to feel embarrassed.
'Prompto.'
The blond starred at his friend for moments when Noctis lifted his head with a grin.
'Make your prayers' The Prince made his decision and was sure to punish his friend for such treason.
Prompto eyes twitched when he realised he pushed a little bit than he should and took a deep sigh.
Noctis began to wander in his mind as he began to memorize the woman they met that very day before this all situation was put into on the display.
They never got to knew about her whereabouts, not that was strange but deep within the Prince he was lost in her beauty. Only if he had a chance to knew her under different circumstances.
'I wonder where she might be right now. She keeps on reminding me of her.'
Noctis was snapped out of his thought. The humvee stopped on its track which was the first signal for the squad.
'Keep your comm. on, I will keep an update with the situation from here.' Ignis and couple of glaives drove the humvee to avoid enemy contact in sight.
'Let us split into 2, Libertus you will be part of the diversion and I will escort Noctis.' Nyx cleared out all doubts and proceed further.
The base was heavily guarded by several soldiers in the perimeter. Leaving only one shot to provide a in and out condition.
'wanna bet who gets highest kill streak? Gladious offered the two his thoughts on betting.'
'Only if the sniping at safe distance will not be counted for' Libertus added before Prompto settled into his position.
'Up we go, lets give our regards!'
'Bang' Prompto shot a bullet to one of the Magitek, and the whole squadron was alert. In couple of minutes more body piled up when they got spotted intentionally and the remaining force in the base fled to the cliff, advancing towards their position.
'Alright, you are good to go Nyx' Ignis signalled
Prompto kept sniping enemy until they were within range for him to pull out his shot gun. He had already made 1/3rd of the advancing squadron shot down.
Coming out of the woods and spread like wild fire. Magitek were being commanded by a bear size man.
He was really pissed off for some reason.
Gladiolus and Libertus flanked the squad, engaged in a close combat. The woods were giving them great advantage to avoid gun shots. Sometimes sneaking behind enemy.
The no. were increasing no matter how much they put their effort in defeating the tin cans.
'Hey, we need you here right now.' Libertus called Prompto for help who was busy fighting Magitek on his own with slight luck when it came to melee.
'Can't... busy wi... th my own probs.' Prompto ducks and dribbles each time he was face to face with the opponent and shooting them right on their head.
'Dang, they are tough to take out. What on Eos are they being aggressive about all of sudden ?' Prompto complained as he cleared out his path to regroup with Gladiolus and Libertus keeping each other back well.
'Well, if someone who intend to kill you, you will not be happy to oblige.' Gladiolus taunted as he swirled his massive sword, cutting and piercing through as many Magitek troops as possible.
'Move out of their, and draw them further before reinforcement pull out close.' Ignis informed the trio as they received words.
'Take cover behind me'
Libertus formed a barrier and repelled the bullets as they began to retreat in hope of being followed.
'Noctis, make it quick. Diversion will not last long as thought. We have unexpected guest'.
'What you talking about Ignis?' Nyx asked as they sprinted towards the Chamber.
'We did not expect any reinforcement but seem like there is and three soldiers are approaching to you. Be prepared.'
'We can handle them don't worry. Nyx out'
Nyx and Noctis paced up, only few meters when a silhouette came in sight. A soldier equipped with heavy armor of silver gray color walking towards them.
'Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum. It's a pleasure to meet you so long. And what do we have here? Nyx Ulric.'
'Glauca, we did not expect you and your new friends here. I expect you did not come here uninvited.' Nyx kept his focus on the figures and taking the chance Noctis made his way in.
'Nyx, always a man ahead of everyone. Looks like my surprise went a waste after all or maybe not.'
Glauca took his fighting stance, prepared to clash his blade with Nyx.
'This will end here.' Nyx warned.
Without any further comments the battle began.
'Ignis, where are you goddamn it?' Prompto called, almost cleaning up the left over soldiers.
Realising the sound of motor produced by a car.
The humvee arrived at the point in no time 'Get in.'
The trio mounted up in the humvee and drove fast toward the base, fast as they could.
'What took you so long?' Gladiolus asked when he was mending his cuts and torn up clothes.
'I have jammed all the power. No more Magitek soldier will function till they back up power. This means we need to go fetch Noctis and Nyx' Ignis replied in worries.
'What do you mean?' Gladious inquired.
'Noctis is in trouble and he was set in a trap. They knew we would be coming.' Ignis replied and made motion to set his glasses.
Noctis made his way in the chamber. The doors were literally just a scrape metal that lied on the floor.
It was not thick enough to stop The Prince swords which pierced and forged a way in.
He walked in ecstasy in the chamber his weapons disappearing in thin air.
The Crystal shined bright as a star. It made Noctis please to have it back only to be interrupted by a short guy, no.. it's a kid in his teenage and woman who stood next to him.
Noctis narrowed his eyes, in rage he clenched his palm into fist. But acted to stay calm. Noctis was unsure of what he shall be worried about, he kept his gaze over them as they towards him. The feud between them was nerve breaking when Noctis decided to swing out one of his blade and point it out to warn them.
'why?' He asked but no reply ever came.
Lightning took a step ahead of Hope in order to protect her little friend if it was a battle Noctis wanted. She pulled out her gunblade ready to pull the trigger before she could get involved in close quarter combat.
Before Noctis could blink even once, Lightning lunged forward and attacked Noctis.
Noctis struggled to keep up with Lightning fighting skill whenever she pulled out a finishing blow which he merely survived. Something was wrong with her and he could see it in her eyes whenever they stood face to face and their metal collided and tried to force their way, letting their opponent guard down
She kept those feeling neutral and each time Noctis was able to repel her attacks she grew more angry.
And getting impatient she dropped down to hit the legs of Noctis to make him stumble and fall on his knees which went perfectly well.
Noctis groaned with the thump he felt surge of pain when he got his flesh cut in his left arm from his dropped weapon. He merely flinched to avoid the fact that he did not want his opponent be pleased to see him cry out.
He felt vulnerable, most of all he felt betrayed by his thoughts about her. She was stronger than any of the sworn enemy of his,' could it have been true, was Ignis right as always about her. The very woman who stood above Noctis. Her weapon ready to stab wherever she desired to and whenever. He felt himself lost in his thoughts was it the end of legacy of Lucians.
'Everyone depends on me. Luna, guys, Lucis... dad'
He felt surge of power coming from his locket when he said his final words before a creature hop out of it.
'Serah!'
A carbuncle stood mighty between them, although it was too short but the strange feeling it gave made Lightning hesitate. It generated a light sphere around Noctis and Lightning. Which started to devour them slowly into the crystal.
'What the...?' Lightning struggled to break free to prevent herself being consumed with Noctis.
She was so occupied in her thoughts, she never had figured out Serah name out of Noctis.
She glanced at Hope who stood in slumber and his body started to change up, now transformed into a tall, masculine man with maroon hairs to length of his shoulders, creepy outfit.
Before she could speak anything crystal light had already teleported them into nothing.
Lightning snapped out of her misery when she noticed her surrounding. It was a void filled with strange energy which made it glimmer due to the mix of various color.
She noticed the little creature was no longer there with them any longer. It was just Lightning and unconscious prince to accompany her. She was lost in her own thoughts when she kept on remembering the person change from Hope. She kept on wandering what in this goddamn world really was happening out.
Lost in her thoughts she glanced at Noctis left too vulnerable. She picked her gunblade and ready to end Noctis life. Though she could not muster any strength she went limp and consumed by her own doubts.
'Who are they? And what happened to Hope back there?' Lightning thoughts were consuming her whole 'was it real or just an imagination?'
'Why is it always have to be me?' Lightning began to cry out loud. She could no longer hold herself and pretend to be strong.
The time froze for her and all she did was keep starring at the never ending void. Never tried to move her limp body and her locked feeling became her only subordinate.
She wanted answers and from all those stories and details she was filled with about Serah and Noctis. She wanted her revenge.
'You will pay for what you did Noctis.' Lightning threatened the Prince who was not awake for several days that passed on without anyone even noticing.
'Even if that means ending my own life.' Lightning smirked.