Somewhere in Ghirlandaio
In this occupied part of Gallia lies the fortress of Ghirlandaio. Seemingly impenetrable, this was the northern barrier separating Gallia from the East Empire. Now occupied by the Imperials, it looked as if it was darker and was more terrifying than it was before. This land of once being under its owners is now nothing but a mere area of total darkness.
Inside the fortress, somewhere, Imperial Commanders held a meeting in one of the dark rooms there with only a lamp lighting a map of Gallia. One of the generals is tapping his fingers impatiently as he give a look of disgust and anger.
"Gallia's mongrels have reclaimed Vasel Bridge. Are the men of our defensive units cowards? This loss is a stain on the Emperor's honor. Useless fools."
There are other people in the room. A female gray-haired, red-eyed commander and a brown long-haired man leaning on his chair as if he didn't give a hint of care on the point said by the general.
"I hear the enemy crossed the river in tanks. And whoever's leading them is no fool."
"On the contrary, this was a fluke. These are peasants, nothing more. Peasants and barbarians. How could they be anything else?"
"If birthright is all it takes to win a battle, you must find war so very boring."
Then, the woman stood up
"The issue here is Gallia's resistance and how to end it swiftly and decisively."
"Exactly. They'll use their victory at Vasel Bridge as footing for a counterstrike in central Gallia." One of the generals remarked.
"How should we proceed? What says Your Grace?" She asked one of the commanders.
This commander was wearing a white robe. His blonde hair gave him an appearance that he was a part of a race that was superior to the people before him. Glory was his desire... Not riches nor even love. His appearance gave him an appearance of an emperor, which he is.
"We will extinguish these flames. Our course is clear: The Gallian army must be crushed."
The Emperor stood up.
"We will require reinforcements. They will be sent to central Gallia. Now then, the route of supply through Kloden has to be made unshakeable. Gregor, see to a...restructuring of our central forces, then you will continue to press northward.
"Sir." Gregor responded.
"We will head to Barious. Selvaria, be so kind as to accompany Us there."
"With pleasure. And to the ends of the Earth, your Grace." She answered.
"The Kloden base and supply lines, see to them, Jaeger. They need protecting. Gallia may have already dispatched troops to the south. Therefore, make haste to Kloden."
"Of course. Leave it to me, your Grace."
A Day Later, Somewhere in the Kloden Wildwood
In the roads of the Kloden Wildwood, Squad 7 continues to march on. Some of the troops rode on the Edelweiss and on the newly-restored Comet, which is commanded by Noctis. Almost feeling uneasy inside, Noctis had to resist that his legs couldn't move that much. Later, he had to get out of his hatch and sit by the turret instead while there was still no signs of enemy concentration.
"Man I'm starving! Haven't eaten anything since we left the fort." Prompto remarked.
"So what do you wanna have? Leaves topped with rose water? We're in the middle of the forest for pete's sake!" Rosie replied.
"There's always apples by the trees."
"If you can find one." Rosie added with a cheeky look on her face.
"All I have with me is my gums. But it's not enough."
As they continued further, one of them started to bring up a concern.
"How solid is our intel?" Ignis asked. "Do we know for sure that there are Imperials in the supply base? Seems like a foolish move." He added. His distinctive cockney accent is one of the jokes played by the rest of Squad 7 by imitating him a lot.
"We don't know for sure, that's why it's called recon." Edy added, imitating Ignis.
"Oh yes. I'm quite aware of the ramifications. We do all the heavy lifting before the main army goes forward and takes the glory. In other words, we die first."
"The gospel according to Ignis." She joked.
Later, the squad stopped for a break. Noctis and Welkin surveyed ahead while Luna, Alicia, Rosie and Largo looked on. Isara and Rikku were checking out how the Comet was doing. Everyone else either rested under a tree or slept on top of the tanks.
"What are we doing? Remind me, whose idea was it to come out here anyway?" Rosie raised. "Enough with the trees already."
"You can say that again. Woods are so thick you can't tell up from down with these trees." Largo voiced.
Later, a scout team consisting of Gladiolus, Emile and Oscar returned to make a report.
"Sir. The Enemy Supply Base is about a few kilometers from here. Apparently as we tried to go back, we noticed how thick the forest was. Quite frankly, Emile almost got himself lost." Gladiolus reported.
"Nice job, Gladio. Get rested up for a moment."
Noctis turned to Welkin.
"Well it seems we've got our answer. I'm concerned as how our tanks would go forward with all this thick woodland concealing the base."
"We just have to look around then." Welkin insisted.
Very much later they started to march for a short while before resting by a crossroad. Then, Welkin found something.
"Here we go..."
"Hey great, what did he find, a map in the dirt?" Rosie asked Largo, to which he replies with a shrug.
Alicia, Luna and Noctis then come over.
"Alicia, hold on to these for me, will you?"
What Welkin had in hand was a sort of brown-looking seeds at looked more like nuts.
"Sure Welkin. What are these? Some kind of nuts?"
"No, actually they're Longbeard goat droppings."
Disgusted, she immediately threw them on the ground.
"Ahhh! Gross! You made me hold poo? Are you crazy?!" She exclaimed, pouting.
"Hey Welks, did you find something useful?" Isara asked, going over where he was.
"Come here. Take a look at this."
Rosie, Largo and Isara then comes over to where the four of them were.
"Hmm. The grass has been trampled down, looks like. What's the deal with that?" Largo asked.
"An animal trail. With any luck this could be our way out. Animals have a natural instinct to find the most efficient path. That's why the grass is trampled down. They snap off the branches, they eat the grass. As a result, they clear a perfect trail."
"So if we make like goats and follow it the path will take us through."
"The enemy supply base should be nearby. This is where we'll start our operation."
As Squad 7 was preparing, Rosie secretly hummed a pleasant tune which Yuna and Alicia found quite attractive and leaving Edy jealous of.
"Laaaaaa, La, La La La... La, La, La... La, La, La.."
"That's really nice Rosie. What song is that? It's so pretty." Alicia complimented.
"Yeah. Even I couldn't sing like that." Yuna added.
"Hm? Oh, just a song I sang, back in the day."
"Oh, you used to be a singer? I didn't know that!"
Rosie blushed. "Ha! You paint a much prettier picture than it was. I used to sing at a bar in my town."
"Still, that song was really pretty. I'd love to hear the whole thing sometime."
"Me too. We ought to do a duet someday."
"You used to sing too, Yuna? Maybe we should do a Squad 7 concert someday." Alicia added.
"Heh. Maybe I'll put on a little show one of these days. And sure, Yuna. Let's do a duet."
Suddenly, a sound somewhere from the woods produced. There was something moving on the grass.
"We're not alone here." Isara voiced, trembling.
"I'll go investigate." Alicia aimed her gun on the grass. "Put your hands in the air!"
Suddenly, what came out of the grass was something they weren't expecting. It was a piglet with wings.
"Moink?!"
"It's...a pig?"
"It looks like a porcavian piglet." Isara described.
Alicia picked up the piglet and lifted into her arms.
"What's your story? Get separated from your mom? Aww..."
"I'll take a look further in."
Going over on the grass. Welkin sees a dead porcavian with a bullet by the belly. Welkin gasps.
"What? What did you find?"
"There must have been a skirmish here...it looks like a stray bullet hit his mother."
"Even out here the war's still claimin' lives." Largo remarked.
"You lost your family too, huh, little guy? Left all alone..." Alicia comforted.
"Moink..."
"Well Alicia, does he want to come with us?" Welkin asked.
"What? Can we?"
"We're the militia! Every Gallian has the right to join." He replied.
"You hear that? As of today you're a member of Squad 7, little guy."
"Moink? Moink!" The piglet excitedly uttered.
After preparing, Welkin and Noctis gathered up Squad 7 for a final briefing before going into the heat of battle.
"According to Gladiolus' scouting report, there is an anti-tank gun positioned by the cliff on the right side of the supply base. Meanwhile, there is a path to the left that leads openly to the base itself, open for flanking. Apparently, it leads straight to the left flank. Problem is that the anti-tank gun by the cliff will be able to shoot at us. Looks like we're gonna have to split our forces up." Welkin explained.
"Ok. Here's my suggestion. Welkin, you take the main force and hit from the front. Rikku, Wakka, take your Machine gun and suppress the entrance. Rosie, take First platoon and get onto that anti-tank gun and disable it. Take T-4 Argentum with you. You will radio us in when the gunner of that gun is silenced." Noctis planned.
"Roger."
"Leon, You'll take orders from Welkin for now. You're gonna have to drive the Comet when he tells you to reinforce him. Barret, you better listen to where Welkin tells you to fire."
"Got it, Sir." Leon and Barret answered at the same time.
"I will lead Third Platoon with me. I will sneak from the back and try to cause discomfort as much as possible. I will need Marina off your hands for now, Rosie. Catherine's still able to provide you with sniper support so make use of it."
"Roger." Rosie turned to Marina. "Marina, you're going with Noctis."
"Good." He then turned to Rikku. "Rikku, give me the Sten and the suppressor. I'm going in there quietly. First platoon, no one's gonna fire but me, got it?"
"Yes sir."
"Alright, any questions?"
"Well planned, Noctis. Seems like everyone's ready." says Welkin.
"Alright partner. Let's do this."
Just as they were dismissed, Noctis called out Rosie with a little surprise from himself in mind.
"Rosie! Come here."
By the Comet, Noctis handed Rosie his sub-machine gun, the "Tommy", something which Rosie had wanted to fire.
"Rosie, you're gonna go in real close so take my "Tommy" see if you can make use of it."
"Whoah? Are you serious?"
"Well you said you wanted to fire it. Now go."
"Thanks Noctis." Rosie answered.
When they were in place, Welkin signalled the Squad to begin the attack.
"The enemy's supply base is through these woods! Squad 7, move out!"
By the left flank, Noctis took First Platoon and Marina with him. Sneaking over, he notices two Imperial troops conversing and talking. Noctis hand signals his team to stand by and remain in place. He looked at his weapon and attached the silencer on it. Sweating a bit, Noctis took his time to aim and press the trigger. He snuck up on them as close as possible. When he was in range, he uttered.
"Psst..."
The Imperials turned around to see Noctis. When they saw him, they immediately went to cock their weapons. But before they could, Noctis gunned the two down. With the path clear, Noctis signalled his team to move in with him. Noctis took his small radio and started to signal out Rosie.
"Rosie, the left flank is cleared. You're cleared to move in."
"Roger." Then Rosie turns to her platoon. "First platoon, move in."
Climbing up the hill, they slowly crested up to see the two guns. Each gun had one Imperial in it.
"Rosie, I'll take the one further on the right. Take the one on the left here. Remember, do it quietly. Take my bayonet. Stab that bastard."
Rosie nodded and Squall proceeded to draw a knife of his own. Sneaking past the first gun, Squall sets his sights on the 2nd gunner, which was slightly farther from where they were. Squall raised a hand signal for Rosie to go on his mark. When he gave her the signal, Squall started to sneak towards the gunner and placed the user of it out of commission. But for Rosie, she sneakily ran towards the gunner and started to stab him. When it was clear, the rest of the squad gathered.
"Nice job. Argentum, radio in Noctis' team. Tell him it's clear to move in."
"Gotcha."
Prompto took the handset from his radio mounted from his back.
"Easy One, this is Easy Four. Guns are silenced. Cleared to move in."
"Roger that, Easy Four. Easy One out."
Noctis turned to his platoon.
"Alright guys, let's move in."
Noctis was the first to go inside the compound. He signaled Marina and the others to stand by and take cover. Next, he needed to start a diversion. Seeing the truck by the building beside them, he took a mills from his chest pocket and stealthily went towards the truck. He set his sights of lobbing the fuel tank with a grenade to signal the squad to attack. When he got there, he crouched. Probably so he wouldn't be seen. He took the lid off the fuel tank and proceeded to unpin the mills before dropping it inside. When it was done, he immediately sprinted back to his team and watch the explosions rock the depot.
*BOOM!*
"Schisse!" bellowed an Imperial soldier.
"Achtung! Explosion!"
In Rosie's position, her team opened fire.
"Fire!"
Her team immediately rained down a hail of bullets towards the Imperials in the depot. Noctis team went in and decided to support her.
By the entrance, Welkin immediately gave the signal.
"Attack!" He bellowed.
"Move in!" Alicia shouted.
"Rikku, get your Machine gun deployed." Ignis ordered.
"Aye!"
The whole squad was soon charging towards the front gate with the Edelweiss and the Comet in support. However, a machine gun nest greeted them hello.
"Shit! MG42! Get down!"
Welkin however reacted immediately by blasting the machine gun nest to oblivion from the Edelweiss.
"Machine gun's down, move in!"
On the other side, an Imperial Heavy Tank appeared. The commander of it went out of his hatch and went to talk with an officer.
"I got here as soon as I could, but...apparently not soon enough."
"General Jaeger! You've brought reinforcements?"
"A few, but this place is almost surrounded. We'll lose both the base and supplies if we hold here. Listen, I want you all to pack up what you can and get ready to evacuate."
"What will you do, General?"
"Buy you guys some time. Just leave the enemy to me"
Suddenly, the squad could hear caterpillar tracks. If they could hear it, it means that something's coming big.
"Oh no. That's not good."
At the sight of Jaeger's Heavy tank, the whole squad was shocked.
"Tank!"
Even it gave shock to Welkin.
"Welkin... Look at the size of that tank!"
"Jeez... Even the Edelweiss couldn't take that tank on. The gun's immensely big. It's enough to destroy the Edelweiss and the Comet. Isara, get the tank into cover behind that building."
"Roger."
Welkin then transmitted onto Noctis' tank crew.
"Leon, get the Comet into cover. The heavy tank is too much for us to handle."
"Roger!"
Immediately, the two tanks maneuvered into cover, getting it out of the Imperial tank's sight. Immediately, the crews of their respective tank went out to see the situation. Alicia immediately informed of the situation.
"Welkin, Noctis' team is taking cover by the building over there but their pinned down. Rosie's team by the plateau is still trying to find a way to take that tank out."
"Largo! Get up here!"
"Boss?"
"Largo, see if you can try to put a shot on that Imperial tank."
"Right!"
Largo immediately went into a position where he could fire his lance and land a direct hit onto Jaeger's tank. At first, it was difficult for him to get into a suitable position but then he soon got into one and prepared to fire.
"Chew on this!"
Largo then bursted a shot from his lance, landing a direct hit towards the Enemy tank. Unfortunately for them, it didn't penetrate. Largo was in shock.
"Damn. That tank must be inches thick. We'll never take it out."
"Let's just hope it retreats for some reason!" Garnet bellowed.
Back in Noctis' view, he saw everything. Thinking that the only way for it to get damaged was getting an Anti-tank round through its side, he ought to find a anti-tank lance. To his left, he went inside the building to find out it was a warehouse full of Imperial weapons. He immediately went to look for an anti-tank weapon. There were no lances but he then saw crates that was labelled "Panzerfäuste 60" (which translates to "Tank Fist 60"). Seeing that this was some sort of anti-tank weapon, he took one of the weapons of the same kind and went outside.
When he got there, He immediately went towards the other side of the depot under intense heavy fire.
"What the hell is Noctis doing?" Largo asked.
"And what's that he's holding?" Isara asked.
"Seems like it's some sort of anti-tank weapon." Welkin assumed.
"Maybe it is." Ignis added. "C'mon Noctis. Blow that bloody bastard!"
"Noctis, you crazy bastard! Get out of there!" Prompto yelled.
Noctis however was ignorant and was more focused on trying to focus on the tank. He went to an area where he could have a direct vantage point on the enemy tank. However, Jaeger spots Noctis.
"General, a Gallian trooper has a Panzerfaust!"
"Take him out."
Noctis raised the anti-tank weapon, aiming it and preparing to fire. He immediately held the pin and the round immediately ejected from the tube. The round landed a direct hit. Afterwards, Noctis started to run back to his squad.
"Yes! Noctis' scored a hit!" Karl yelled.
Cheers were voicing out of the squadmembers. However, Jaeger was not smiling.
"Argh! That bastard got us, sir."
"Fire on him!"
Jaeger retaliated by ordering his gunner to fire on Noctis. When the trigger was pressed, the round, instead of hitting directly, landed on the dirt, just stones away from Noctis. This sent the prince into a shockwave, much like what happened to Squall back in Vasel.
"NOCTIS!" Prompto yelled.
Luna was in shock and tears immediately left her eyes. His friends could not believe what happened.
"Direct hit, sir."
"That should just about do it."
Not one in Squad 7 went out to get Noctis out of the open except for one.
"Isara!" Welkin yelled "You'll get yourself killed."
But Isara ignored her brother's call. She remembered that he had saved her from two Imperials during the day of their first encounter and if he was alive, he ought to pay back for it. She dashed towards Noctis to see if he was alive or not. The front of Noctis' body was facing the ground. Isara immediately turned him around to see that blood was coming out of his nose and his face stained with dirt. He wasn't breathing.
"Noctis, wake up. I know you're alive. I need you to breathe for me." Isara voiced.
But he didn't reply. Immediately, Isara placed her hands on top of each other and seemed as if she would perform CPR. When she did, he repeatedly pressed on his chest. However, He wasn't responding. Tears were starting to leave her eyes.
"Come on, Noctis! Come on. Please..."
But he still wasn't responding. She lifted her hands and immediately landed another hit.
"Noctis...Please... WAKE UP!"
Then, Noctis started to cough. He was slowly opening his eyes. A slight smile and tears of joy were exiting out of Isara's eyes.
The blurry and shockwaved Noctis looked at the figure before him. An image of Luna was placed before his eyes as if Luna was there to check on him.
'Luna...'
Noctis slowly blinked his eyes to see that it was actually Isara that was before him.
"Noctis? Noctis... It's me... Isara. You're gonna be just fine."
"Isara..." He voiced. Displaying a slight smile, he said. "Thank you..."
A smile emanated from Isara. She turned to her squadmates.
"It's ok guys! Noctis is gonna be ok."
Just then, Rosie's team appeared coming down from the plateau. Immediately, Squall and Rosie went to the flag to plant the Gallian flag onto the flag pole. What it meant in military books is that they had taken the base.
"General Jaeger! Base camp has been occupied! The relay from base patrol says they barely got out with the supplies. Good. But I've got to hand it to them. Gallia sent a real fox into these woods. Well, it's not a supply base anymore if there are no supplies. We're all done here." The guard voiced.
"Good, that's enough for now. Retreat!"
When the Imperial tank retreated, Squad 7 started to secure the depot. Welkin, Alicia, Largo, Luna, Ignis, Prompto, and Gladiolus went over the Isara and Noctis. Luna was the first to arrive to where they are.
"Noctis... Can you hear me?" Luna asked.
"Luna..."
He raised his hands and tried to hold her cheeks.
"Yes... I'm here now, Noctis. I thought you were a goner."
"Noctis, are you gonna be fine? Can you walk?" Welkin asked.
"S...light"
"Alright guys. Help him out. We ought to take him to an aid station."
Prompto and Gladiolus help Noctis up back to his feet. Placing his arms around them, they started to walk Noctis onto the medic. He was walking slowly but surely. Luna went along with them.
On the other hand, Welkin had to discipline Isara.
"Isara... Please... Don't do that again."
"Welks... I'm sorry. I feel like I had to because I just wanted to pay Noctis back for saving me when the war started."
"Still, you could have ended up getting killed. I won't let that happen, you hear me?"
"Yes."
"Ok. Now go."
Isara nodded before leaving the area.
When the supply area was secured, Varrot arrived to check on what had happened.
"Lt. Gunther!"
"Captain!" He saluted.
"Where's Lt. Caelum?" She asked.
"Noctis got wounded, Ma'am. He was trying to take out an Imperial tank that pinned the whole squad. He was the only one who got out of cover to try to take it out but he got himself hurt in the process, but he was able to land a direct hit that had the tank retreating. Though he was wounded, he could slightly walk. He's in the aid station right now."
"Very good. I'll make sure he'll get a medal for this."
"Yes ma'am."
"Well done, soldiers. The operation was a success."
"Another victory for Welkin Gunther." Alicia added.
"Nope, not this time. All the glory goes to this little guy."
"Moink?!"
"Way to go Hans. First day on the job and you're already a hero!"
"Our success today was thanks to the animals living here in these woods... and Noctis' bravery" He added.
"Moink moink!"
"So, uh...who named the bacon Hans?" Largo asked.
"Captain Varrot, I'd like to introduce Squad 7's newest addition, Hans."
"Hans, I hear you performed admirably today. I expect great things from you. Dismissed." She said, smiling.
"Maioink!"
"Seems like Noctis and Hans may make a great team." Isara added.
"Moink Moink!"
"Well I know who's gonna be Noctis' first visitor." Alicia voiced.
2 Days Later
In the infirmary, Noctis was lying on the bed reading a book. He was able to recover in just two days after his meeting with a blast. All he needed was to rest and recover before he go back in service again. Just then, Luna arrived with a basket full of fruits.
"Noct..."
Noctis turned his attention to the voice.
"Luna!"
Luna came towards him carrying a basket of fruits.
"Hey... I know you weren't expecting visitors but I took my relaxation time to visit you."
"Where are the others tho?"
"Well they're having a great time right now."
"Without me... Jeez."
"Well we have each other."
A smile came out of Noctis' face. Luna then took a seat and started to take some grape pieces and placing them on a plate. Taking a fork, he lifted it towards Noctis' mouth and started to feed him.
"You know... It's been a while since I've done this. I think the last time I did it with you was when you had a fever or something."
"You still remember that? God I thought you haven't..."
"Of course... I always keep our memories in my mind. I've never slipped any fragment of it." She added.
Luna placed the plate aside and leaned in towards Noctis chest. She rested her head on his chest and Noctis placed his left hand on top of her. Slowly stroking her, He started to say something.
"You know... Once this war is over... I'll find a place for us. It won't be an ordinary place but it will be more than that so much that nothing can ever get in between our life."
"War... I do not like war." She replied.
The next day, Captain Varrot went to the Infirmary along with Welkin, Alicia and Isara, who was carrying Hans. Captain Varrot was holding a small case that fits her whole hand. Alicia was holding a basket of fruit and a bread that she had baked the day before. In fact, Alicia had Welkin taste it and getting herself flustered imagining that she was in a scene where she was a wife greeting her husband.
When they got to where Noctis was, they could see he was reading the same book from yesterday.
"Lt. Caelum."
Noctis turned his attention to the group coming towards him.
"Captain!" He saluted, getting himself to adjust his position on the bed. He placed his back rested on the pillow.
"How are you feeling?"
"Fine. Ready to get back into action as soon as possible."
"Now now... I need you to rest for a few more days."
"Ok then, Captain. But what brings you guys here?"
"Captain Varrot wants to give you something."
Varrot then took a piece of paper from the case and started to read it.
"For risking one's life and being wounded while trying to take out an enemy tank that would place the whole squad in jeopardy; His Grace, the Archduchess of Gallia is pleased to award the Crimson Heart to Lieutenant Noctis Lucis Caelum for his actions in the Kloden Wildwood on the date of the 13th of April, 1935."
With that, she immediately pinned the medal on Noctis' left chest as everyone was clapping their hands.
"Congratulations, Lt. Caelum. I expect more from you."
"Thank you, Captain."
"Hooray for Noctis!" Alicia added.
"Moioionk." Hans uttered.
Isara then went to Noctis by his right and sat on the bed.
"Hey, remember him? You guys are both heroes." Isara voiced.
Noctis displayed a smile at the sight of the porcavian. He opened his arms. "Come here, little guy."
The Crimson Heart recipient then cuddled the porcavian on his arms. Finding it seemingly adorable, Isara ought to capture the moment. Taking a camera, she took a picture of Noctis holding Hans in his arms while Varrot, Welkin and Alicia positioned themselves beside his bed. After that, it was Isara's turn.
"Ok. Isara, your turn. Give me the camera." says Welkin.
Isara handed the camera to Welkin and positioned herself sitting beside him with her head a few inches beside his. The two smiled as Welkin took the photograph.
"Wow! You two look so adorable." Alicia complimented. "Maybe you guys should date." She teased.
Isara blushed while Noctis denied. "Oh no, please... I'm not ready for that." He said, blushing as well.
"Stop that, Alicia. You know Isara." Welkin scolded. "Anyway, I'll leave Is to take care of you, Noct. Hope you get out of that bed fast. I need my second-in-command with me."
"Sure, Welkin, and thanks again. Where's Luna tho?"
"Oh... Luna's asleep in the barracks. Apparently, she got tired of tending the garden with Aerith and Yuna. She was planning to make a salad for you apparently from what I heard. Anyway, we have to get going. Bye."
"Bye." Noctis and Isara answered.
"Don't forget to pamper him." Alicia teased.
"Oh please... Stop it, Alicia." Isara voiced.
When the trio left, Isara and Noctis were alone in the infirmary. Noctis was still cuddling Hans by his arms. Isara took the basket that Alicia had carried with her.
"Here, Noct. I bought you something."
"Wow! Is this all for me?"
"Umm Yeah... Well I had to go to a market earlier to buy some. Alicia had some bread left so I took some from her and I packed it up all on this basket. Quite frankly, I thought you might be hungry too."
"How nice of you, Isara. Thanks."
"You're most welcome." She replied.
Taking a plate, slicing apples into bits; She placed them on the plate and taking a fork, she lifted the fruit piece onto Noctis' mouth.
"Open up now."
Noctis flushed a little. It reminded him of what Luna had done the day before. But still, he couldn't say no to food.
"Ahhhh~~~"
He chewed on the fruit piece as Isara smiled.
"Isara... When I was wounded... Why did you get out of cover to go to me? You could have been killed."
"That reminds me... I wanted to say thank you for saving my life back in Bruhl. I couldn't find any other way to do it so I had to go out there to make sure you wouldn't get hurt. That's what you told me before that you wouldn't let anyone you care for get hurt."
"Oh yeah... Silly me. But still, next time, don't get yourself hurt."
Isara sighed. "Ok... Whatever you say, Lieutenant." She said, before forking another piece of fruit. "Now open up and eat an apple."
"With pleasure... *Ahhh~~~*"
Isara had spent the rest of her relaxation time nursing Noctis back to health and in good shape. Every bit of Isara's care had reminded Noctis of how Luna always took care of him. He wished to know her a bit more. This Darscen's values had triggered the Prince's curiosity even more as he soon sees just how much Isara can value life and how prejudice cannot be a barrier to her struggles.
A/N: So that's Chapter 8. Pretty much I wanted Noctis to get wounded by this chapter not because he can be also physically vulnerable, but to show that even a wound wouldn't get in his way. There's gonna be something that will happen soon as the story progresses. You guys will just have to wait and see how it goes. Chapter 9 will be posted soon.
Please Review and give suggestions. It helps me improve more :).