At the gates, the Town Watch along with the volunteers prepare themselves for the worse. An Imperial Formation supported by an armored vehicle was coming towards them. It was clear that if the gate fell, civilian casualties would be high, including themselves getting killed trying to defend it. Alicia, determined not to yield a single yard of ground ordered those who could fight to put up fierce resistance until the civilians could escape but however, it seemed that they were outnumbered with lack of weapons and numbers. There was no way that they could fight an army a size of a field.
Just then, a Town Watchman came running from one of the alleys towards them.
"THE IMPERIALS ARE COMING! – ARGH!"
However, he only made it short of the sandbags, having been shot at the back. With fear building up among them, No one wanted to go out there and get that man back into safety.
Except for one…
One of the men behind the sandbags dropped his rifle on the ground, went over the sandbags to save the man and get him to safety. However, Alicia tried to prevent him from going out of cover fearing that another life may be lost.
"Leonhart!" She yelled, trying to grab his arm but failed.
He ignored her and continued to run toward the downed man on the middle of the street while being under fire.
"Dammit Squall, get back here you crazy bastard!" Zell shouted.
"Alright guys, give him covering fire!" Cloud bellowed
At once, The defenders fired at the same time against the Imperials trying to charge against them. On the other hand, Squall went to the wounded man and pulled him back to safety with all the strength he could muster.
"C'mon Squall! You can do it!" shouted Rinoa.
Squall ignored gunfire coming from the Imperials and kept looking at the man to ensure that he was still living. As he neared the barricade, ahead was an Imperial Grenade. When it exploded, Squall covered the wounded with his own body to prevent shrapnel to further injure the wounded watcher. At the barricade, everyone was shocked when it had exploded.
"Those bastards got one of our guys!" A watchman presumed.
However, instead of his body being lifeless, he got back up in a crouch position and continued pulling the man to safety, much to everyone's surprise.
"Jeez Louise! He's still alive after that?" says Prompto, surprised at the man.
"For once, I know that Squall won't die easily." Zell replied.
When he reached the barricade, one of the volunteers pulled the two back into safety. As for Alicia, she was impressed by his display of bravery of saving a wounded watchman and even surviving a grenade explosion that nearly took his life. For a fighter, he wasn't as bad as she thought he would be.
A few moments later, Ammunition was getting short. It was only a matter of time before they get outrun. Despite being outgunned, Alicia still held firm in the defense as well as the volunteers. However, watchmen were slowly decreasing in numbers and knew that they can no longer hold on for much longer.
Somewhere inside the village; Welkin, Noctis and Isara eventually find themselves on the rear of the Imperials. Luckily, no one has seen them yet. Welkin had sent Noctis out to search for the others and returned quite soon. He went up towards the turret of the tank, got in and spoke with the other two.
"Alright, Alicia and the others are still holding their battered ground. I'm sure they're not gonna last that long. The good thing is that we're behind those bastards."
"Good job, Noctis. Point the way."
Noctis navigated the way for Isara to drive on. They eventually came on a wall where the Imperials are advancing and pushing against the barricade. It was a shortcut as Isara had guessed. She told Welkin that if they were to get through the wall, They might be able to save Alicia and their colleagues. They wasted no time and Welkin drove through.
At the sight of the Edelweiss, the Imperials were shocked while some were sent running.
"GAH! A G-Gallian Tank!" An Imperial shouted.
"Do we fall back? What about the village?"
"Who cares you fool, you wanna get killed? Retreat!"
At the sight of the first Imperial Tank, Welkin reacted immediately before it had a chance to fire against the barricade.
"Range, 100 Meters…... Steady…..Fire!"
Noctis immediately pulled off the shot. When the round penetrated the Imperial Tank, Its turret exploded, causing it to be detached from the main body of the tank. As for Alicia, She was shocked that Welkin had a tank. With this, they managed to send them regrouping for another attack. They were just in time as the civilians had been evacuated successfully. While the joy was happening outside, Martha was still in labor inside the tank.
Inside, tensions were rising as the three worked together to help Martha in labor. Isara had bought with her the kit she needed to provide medical care.
"Alright Noctis, give me a hand here."
The three assisted Martha as she was going through a more sharp, painful labor. As much as possible, The three cooperated to relieve her. Isara comforted her while the two cooperated in getting the infant out.
"Martha, stay with me. Everything's gonna be alright." Isara comforted.
"Damn, I need a mask. You don't want to get germs on the baby."
"Forget it. That's fine."
"Alright, take it easy."
As the two tried numerous ways, they couldn't seem to do any progress.
"Dammit Welkin, I'm getting horny. Just don't blame me when this is over."
"Geez, I'm a lot more scared than you are, okay?"
"I don't see the head yet."
"You're never gonna see it unless she pushes."
Welkin was puzzled. "Push!? What do you mean?"
"She's gotta push."
"You sure? Can you help her?"
"I'm sure."
"Then do it."
"Alright. Leave it to me. You get the head, I'll do the pushing."
Then Noctis went beside Martha and assisted her in her painful suffering. Gently but sure, Noctis pushed lightly as Martha had her palms on her belly. As Noctis assisted, Welkin still couldn't see the infant's head. Isara grew more worried than ever.
"Push.. Push… Push…" Noctis continued.
"Hey, Hey! I could see it. Just a little more."
Noctis repeated the same procedure and Martha slowly felt the infant coming out of her.
"Don't stop, Martha. Keep it going." Isara encouraged.
"It's getting close…. Just a bit more…Alright! It's out! It's out!"
Finally, Martha felt relief.
"It's a… boy! A Boy!" Welkin shouted.
"Look at that…"
Welkin slowly carried the infant and Noctis and Isara were overjoyed but not as joyful as Martha felt. The three had laughs of joy. Moments later, Martha rested.
Later when Welkin, Isara and Alicia had a moment on a lonely hilltop, Noctis was found resting under a tree by Welkin. It looked like that Welkin had a few questions for Noctis. It was time to speak. Noctis knew that he had it coming. Welkin had a look on his face that Noctis knew what he wanted to know.
Noctis looked at Welkin. "I came here for a reason…"
Noctis told him everything. From being a Prince of Lucis to travelling through a portal, Welkin was surprised which explains why Noctis knew what to do during Martha's Labor or when he fought with his fists against an Imperial Soldier. Welkin thought that whatever he was telling was a joke. However, with his evidences, he was drawn to finally believe in him. Noctis told him that there was no way that they could ever come back to their world. He stated that he was glad that he arrived on their world but didn't expect that another war would be knocking his door again. Welkin understood what Noctis had wanted and promised him that they'll get it after the war, if they live out of it.
A few days later, Noctis, with the help of Welkin arrives in the capital to meet up with his colleagues. They were staying at a local inn where they waited for him. He went inside and navigated through the building and eventually arriving.
"Hey Noct. Glad you dropped by."
"Just went here to see you guys."
"Noctis!" Luna voiced.
"Oh my... Luna!" Noctis said at the sight of his lover.
Seeing her made his day once again. He embraced her more tenderly than before and kissed her lips more softly. Luna was relieved that Noctis was alright and that he thought something might have happened to him. Noctis on the other hand thought she was taken captive by an unknown entity. But luck was on his side.
He then looked at each of their face. Ignis, Gladiolus, Aranea and Gladiolus' daughter were present except for someone.
"Where's Prompto?"
"He went outside to get newspaper."
Just then, Prompto arrived with a newspaper In hand. Much to Noctis fears, it was something that he didn't want was going to happen again.
"Well I now know where we are. Apparently we ended up in a continent called Europa. Right now, we are in a country called Gallia." Prompto said, after taking a look at the news paper.
Ignis took the news paper to check on the headlines. What he read was a shock.
"Gallia declares war on Imperials, People enlisting heading high." Ignis announced. "Well that's rather a bolluck."
Noctis crossed his arms and rested his back against a wall and slowly slid to the floor while covering his face in frustration, knowing that he failed to find that peace and his promise to his colleagues. Luna looked at him as if he was about to drip tears.
"Noctis, we know that there's another war happening and it's not your fault. It's just a coincidence."
"This is what I feared for. Another war where you have to keep your friends close and those who want to kill you closer. You should know that I lost my father when Aldercapt invaded Lucis and I couldn't do anything to save him. At least I was there for you guys. All of you are the only family I've got and I don't want to lose any of you like my father's fate or the people we loved. Especially you, Luna."
"So? At least you still have one thing and that's staying along with us until the very end."
Ignis then went in between of their conversation.
"I didn't mean to interrupt you two but there's only one solution to this matter."
"What's that?"
"Enlist. Fight with them until we claim victory just as we did back in Lucis." Ignis proposed.
Noctis didn't really want to.
"No, we can't. I'm not going to lose any of you."
"Noctis don't be stubborn. You weren't like that back in Lucis. You always took matters into your own hands before. And where's that Noctis that I knew who gets to call his shots." Aranea voiced.
"All of this happened…. after my father, the only one I've got is dead and it's all of that old man's fault. I wanted to leave Lucis because I don't want to be dragged into another war. Even if you say that we could settle in Accordo, I wouldn't do it. There's a revolution happening in that place."
"Cheer up Noct. Who knows, this may be the last war we'll ever be on then we can settle here as we please. Just… give one last shot."
He can't make up his mind about it after saying all those things. More importantly, He didn't want to lose them. They all saw that Noctis had a look that he wasn't going to approve any of it. But if they were going to seek and find that harmony that they wanted, they had to do it the hard way. He finally decided a few moments later when everyone left him alone.
A few days later...
Welkin finalized his enlistment into the Gallian Militia and received training. Alicia also followed him to follow her promise to save the people of Gallia, a promise the two had made prior to their departure from Bruhl. After they had a short chat in Welkin's quarters, they were called by their superior, Captain Eleanor Varrot.
"Gallian Militia enlistee Welkin Gunther, reporting for duty."
Alicia did the same after Welkin.
"Ma'am, Gallian Militia enlistee Alicia Melchiott, reporting for duty."
Afterwards, It was the Captain's turn to speak.
"I'm Captain Eleanor Varrot, commander of this regiment. Gunther, you're promoted to lieutenant. You'll be leader of Squad 7 now." She ordered.
"Ma'am!" He replied.
"Enlistee Melchiott, you're promoted to sergeant. You'll be under the lieutenant's command. Understood?"
"Ma'am!"
"What do you know...it is you. Nice coincidence, huh Welkin?" An unknown voice said.
"Faldio?! I had no idea that you'd enlisted."
"Yeah. Now that there's a real war going on I joined up. Pretty much all the officer in training boys are here just like you." He said.
"You know each other?" Varrot asked, crossed arms.
"Yes, ma'am. We knew each other at university. Welkin was in science and I was in archeology." And turning to Welkin. "Just look at us now. No archeology or science. Looks like the two of us are studying war instead."
"Looks that way. It's good to see you." Welkin smiled.
"And you."
Then, Varrot's phone rung. It was coming from one of the offices that handled raw recruits. Varrot had been told that there's another set of recruits that will be joining Squad 7. No one had a slightest nor faintest idea on who that person was. It was also rather sudden for Varrot as she only scheduled Welkin and Alicia for her to see.
"Mhmm… Send him in." She answered before hanging up on the line.
She turned to Welkin.
"Well, it seems that there's a new set of recruits for Squad 7, Lt. Gunther. I was told that he's capable of leading such men."
Just then, The door opened to reveal a man with an almost similar uniform as Welkin was wearing. The only difference was that He wore a red beret instead of a cap and had an ankle boots instead of the typical combat boots. This man shocked both Alicia and Welkin, It was a familiar sight for the two.
"Well, Well… We meet again, old friend." The person said, slightly smiling with arms crossed.
"Noctis, Is that you?"
"Thought you'd never known."
Noctis stepped inside Varrot's office and presented himself.
"Enlistee Noctis Lucis Caelum, reporting for duty, Ma'am!" He saluted.
"Hmm… I was told that you did a great job in handling the situation back in Bruhl. Am I right, Lt. Gunther?" She said, pinching her chin.
"Uh… Yes Ma'am. Noctis is a capable guy. He was the one who saved my sister from two Imperials and He's…. kinda good with a knife, I think."
"Hmm… I see… Very well. Enlistee Caelum, You are promoted to Lieutenant and You'll be Gunther's Second-in-command instead. Make sure that you get familiar with your surroundings, Mr. Caelum."
"Yes Ma'am!" He saluted.
Then, the telephone rung for a second time. This time, It was another news. And just like Caelum's enlistment, It wasn't anticipated. After a while, The conversation ended.
"Well, it seems that You, Melchiott and Caelum will have an exercise with Captain Herbert. You are to meet with your squad in front of this building and assemble on Herbert's quarters. He said He'll be waiting for you. That's all for today. Dismissed."
A/N: So that's the first 4 chapters of Fate of Duty. Criticisms are always welcome. Please let me know on what to improve. Thank you! Chapter 5 will be uploaded soon!
And yes, I included characters from Final Fantasy 7, 8 and 10.