CHAPTER 03
Two week passed. I've tried my best to stay away from mortals at school, especially from Lightning. I think its better, though. Like Miss Lilac said, I should never forget that I'm a demon. Before I could obtain my wish to become a human, I shouldn't meddle with them carelessly.
"Rumors are starting." Prompto said. It was a self-study period and we decided to stay at the campus' laboratory. Nobody went over there, so besides for the forest, this place became my second favorite. Prompto and I found it two days ago when we're strolling around the building.
"What rumors?" I tried to sound interested. These past few days, Prompto snaps if I didn't listen to him. When that happens, he would be extremely annoying.
"That you're a fraud." He said. "The rumor says that you're good and friendly for only ten seconds they know you."
"I never thought that mortal still have some common sense." I smirked. "If I told them that I am a demon and here to destroy their world, I wonder what reactions they'd make."
Prompto looked earnestly at me. "H-hey…"
"I'm kidding." I crossed my arms and smiled. "Relax."
.Prompto chuckled.
Suddenly, his eyebrows knit. He sniffed. "Do you smell it?"
Without doubt, I smelled it too; the sweet smell of girls' scent. It smells tempting, like warm chocolate.
"…can you stop it, Vanille?" Lightning's voice boomed from the distant. It was coming outside the corridor. Their footsteps were kinda faint but slowly sounding clearer. Surely, they are coming this way.
"I'm just telling the truth, Light!" Vanille said. "You…"
"NO!" Lightning shouted.
"What are we going to do now?" Prompto said. Though, he doesn't seem to be bother by it. He's actually enjoying it. Things like this makes Prompto thrilled the most.
"Wait for them to arrive?" I suggested. Prompto smiled as if he likes the idea.
At that moment, the door opened. Lightning and Vanille entered, having the same uneasy look.
"But it's not true!" Lightning insisted.
"It's not true?" Vanille provoked. "Don't kid me, Light. I'm your best friend, so I know you the best. You can't fool me."
Prompto and I sat comfortably at the corner. Because of some human anatomies in-between, they still haven't notice us. But hey, if this continues, we're going to look like stalkers.
Lightning groaned impatiently. "I told you! That Noctis guy…" then with my relief, she noticed us. Her eyes widened. "…T-they're here."
Vanille followed Lightning's gaze. And her mouth fell opened.
"Oops, we've been caught." Prompto said, keyed up.
"Wh-why are you here?" Lightning sounds really nervous.
"I heard my name." I said, ignoring her question. "What about me?"
Lightning trembled as if thinking of something to lie on. Finally, she decided to compose herself like nothing happened. "The committee wanted me to tell you that you should attend the meeting regarding the school's festival. You, two, stop attending any meeting since… since the first one."
I lazily stand up and hide my hands on my pockets. I walked a little close to her. "I told you, I'm not really serious about that."
"Then what about me?" She barked. Her face was solemn.
I don't quite understand what's wrong with her question, but Vanille nudged her. Lightning blinked and flushed. For a second, she seems to regret every word she said. "Never mind the last statement." She quickly back up. "Attend the meeting this afternoon, is what I just wanted to tell you." Then she hastily exited to the door, followed by Vanille.
Prompto was silently sitting comfortably at the corner, unmoving. "She blushed." He said. He is obviously not happy about that.
"Let's go." I told him. "We need to take a break first… before the afternoon meeting."
Instantly, Prompto appeared beside me. "Are you serious? You're going to attend the meeting? I thought you already decided not to meddle with mortals, yet."
I didn't answer.
"Noct…."
"Prompto." I said. "I already stay out of them for two weeks. I-I think, that's already enough for me to realize what my true objective is. Thus, I guess it's time to get back to work. For me, to be used about what mortals are doing, I need to experience it as early as I can. So when I finally become a human, I wouldn't be like an idiot. Like how we were on the first day."
"B-but you told me…"
"I know. Don't worry…. I won't forget. I will definitely kill her..." I punched my right hand towards Prompto. "I'll destroy her with this bare hand."
The meeting was held at the same place, like the last time we've been there. The gymnasium. The mortals taking part were also the same. The only different was the instructor. It was not Miss Lilac; instead, it was Mr. Raisin. And so I thought if there are other teachers in this school besides him.
"Okay, students." Mr. Raisin said. "Right now, I…"
Some boys at the front, groaned. Their faces looked disappointed.
"Aw, why is it you, Mr. Raisin?" One of them, said. "Where's Miss Lilac?"
Mr. Raisin looked hurt. Yeah, he's also a teacher, he need some respect. Good thing to say from someone who humiliated him once, right?
"Miss Lilac has some important matters to attend," he explained. "So, she wouldn't be here for today."
"That's means you're only here as a substitute, Mr. Raisin?" another asked.
"Yeah." Mr. Raisin answered.
The boys cheered. That time, I feel sorry for Mr. Raisin.
"Anyway." Mr. Raisin raised his hands to shut them up. "I'm here to announce the pairings."
"Pairings?" Prompto mumbled.
Vanille, who sat behind him, answered his question. "Miss Lilac announced it last week." She seems happy to talk to him, though she tried to make a face like she didn't. "She said that the work will be faster and enjoyable to do when done by pairings."
"Miss Lilac decided about these groupings, so don't complain to me." Mr. Raisin warned.
At that moment, he started saying the pair one by one, until, my name is called…
"Noctis Lucis Caelum and Claire Farron." Mr. Raisin announced.
I was about to argue, but Lightning beat me to it. She stands up, not even caring about anyone. "I object!" she shouted. Everyone hushed, including the teacher.
Mr. Raisin looked at her sympathetically, "I told you, Miss Farron. Miss Lilac is the one who decided this list. Go complain to her."
"B-but…" Lightning looked at me. Her face was full of hesitancy, like she was already imagining the things that would happen if we paired up. Thinking of the outcome, she shook her head and turned back to Mr. Raisin. "Sir, please do me this favor; paired me up with anyone… except with him."
That hit me. I don't want this to happen myself but… she just went overboard.
I stand up and hide my hands in my pocket, trying to act cool. "Mr. Raisin already told you…" I told her. "He isn't the one who created the list. So, don't complain to him."
"But I don't want to be paired up with you!" she snapped. I badly wanted to punch somebody right now.
"That much?" I asked, calm.
"That much." Lightning's eyes were so serious. Does she hate me this much because of the incident at the infirmary? Or something much worse than that?
"But even if you did complain, nothing will happen." I said. "Miss Lilac is not here."
Vanille tugged Lightning down and tried to calm her. She turned to Mr. Raisin. "Sorry for the interruption, Mr. Raisin. Please continue."
Lightning rolled her eyes. "What are you doing, Vanille?"
"Come on. Don't be angry about such small things." Vanille said, smiling to convince her. "These parings are nothing. It is merely…."
"Vanille Dia Oerba…" Mr. Raisin continued. "…and Prompto Clevis Doughier."
Vanille mouth fell opened. "What!" She was about to stand up when Lightning pulled her down even before she did.
"D-don't stop me!" she argued. "I can't accept this!"
"It's your fault by stopping me in the first place." Lightning said. She almost smiled, which somehow make me feel happy. Then she said to Mr. Raisin. "Don't mind us, Sir. Please continue."
Mr. Raisin was probably starting to get irritated. He declared. "If anyone tried to complain again, I'll get you all expelled."
"Whoa, expulsion was too bad, Mr. Raisin." Somebody muttered.
"Shut up." The teacher said, before continuing to announcing the rest of the pairings.
After some more stupid messages from Mr. Raisin, the work started. Prompto and Vanille seems to be doing some kind of decoration-stuff business with team A. Fang and a bearded guy named Gladiolus were doing some cleaning stuff with Team B.
While me and Lightning, well, I don't know exactly what are we gonna do. Mr. Raisin said that since Lightning was the most dependable among the groups, the two of us will be doing the supervising-thing, like checking everyone and making sure they are doing their work properly. I was pretty happy about that honestly, because it doesn't sound like that difficult. But the thing is, doing it with an angry girl; make it really not that pleasing.
Lightning and I were heading towards the Faculty room, to get the so-called record planner or something like that.
"So, were kind of like the supervisor." I tried to sound interested, though I didn't even know what supervisor really means. I'm just hoping that I used the word right.
Lightning didn't answer. She just kept walking as if I didn't exist. She seems agitated though, like waiting for something bad to happen. And her eyes were sad; making her looked easy… to destroy.
I shook my head to erase the thoughts. Not yet. I can't kill her yet. Not until I learned the reason. Why does it have to be her? There are many other mortals at this school. For example, like Mr. Raisin, I would be really glad to kill him. Heh, just kidding.
"You can just take a rest." Lightning finally said. "I can do this simple task alone."
You know, now that I think about it. The more she insists me to do something, the more I wanted to disobey it. Teasing her is like leisure to me.
"I can't." I said. "This is a job for partners, you know. And I am your partner. I can't leave you alone."
Lightning rolled her eyes, probably smelled something fishy about my statement. "Then thanks for that, Mr. Caelum." She said reluctantly.
"Noct is fine." I said. She didn't response.
Minute of silent passed. I didn't want to bring this up, but I guess I have no choice. This is better than no conversation at all. "The thing about this morning at the laboratory…"
That made Lightning jumped. I'm positive that she already know what I'm about to say, although, she let me continued. "What are you two talking about? And why my name is involved in it?" I said.
"I-I told you… it's about the meeting." She obviously lied. It made my mind went blank, as if some poison rapidly spread through my body.
Without thinking, I pushed her to the wall and held up her left hand. She flinched. The scar… the lightning-shape scar was there. It seems like she got it a long time ago, but her face shows as if it still hurts.
"Where did you get this?" I said.
"I-It's none of your business…" she groaned, as she tried to struggle.
"Why does it have to be shaped like a lightning?" I continued. My brain suddenly filled with the questions I always kept buried. "Who are you really? Are you Claire? Or are you Lightning? Hey, why do you use a nickname instead of your real name? It is because you dislike your real name that much, huh? Does it have some bad memories written behind it? Answer me. Why?"
I paused and breathe. "You know, I have too many questions for you."
"But I don't need to answer any of it." Lightning retorted. "I-I don't need to answer those questions because you're just a stranger to me. I don't even know you myself. You're just a mysterious transfer student who didn't even talk to me that much. So, why would I reveal my whole self to you?"
"Because I want you to." I said. Lightning looked surprised.
"To give you a fact." I inched my face into hers and whispered. "Everything I wanted… I can make it all fell into my hands… with their own will and choice. It will happen with you too, Lightning. You will reveal your answers to me… even if I don't push you to say it."
"It won't happen." She demanded, though her voice didn't sound certain.
"Really? Then let's see." I smiled. "Let me have your day tomorrow."
Lightning blushed. "W-what? Why would I go on a date with you?"
My eyebrow rose. Date? Is that what they call it here on earth? How sentimental.
"Well, you promise me one." I reminded her.
"I didn't promise anything." She said. "T-that time… I-I just said it unconsciously… I didn't even say you could…"
I twirled her hair with my finger. Her face was red. "Why? Are you scared?"
"I'm not scared! It's just that… there are classes tomorrow, so I… we can't."
"What about the next day after tomorrow? Miss Lilac said it was Saturday and there will be no classes at that time."
Lightning didn't answer.
"Come on. You wanted to know something about me, too. Am I right? Who am I? Where do I come from? Admit it; you also have many questions for me…" I said. "…since I am a mysterious transfer student."
Lightning pursed her lips. There's no mistaking it. I won. Lightning absolutely hate running away when she knows that she will be given some compensation in the end.
"Fine." she said in a low voice. "Just this one."
I grinned, and let go of her. Lightning breathe in relieve.
"Let's meet at the forest then." I said, walking. "Come on, the record planner is waiting."
Lightning eyes widened. "W-wait… forest!" she shouted, as she caught up next to me. "Why is it had to be there?"
"Because it is the place where we first met." I said. Lightning hushed, blushing.
Exactly. Mortals have a tendency to keep the small details of their lives as the biggest part of the memories they choose to keep.
Mom, I think the wonderful things you're talking about were starting to be clearer to me.
When I arrived at the apartment, Prompto were sitting at the couch with his eyes closed, as if he's sleeping. But I already told you, demons don't sleep.
"Hey." I said, sitting next to him.
"What happened?" he asked, still eyes closed.
"You know what happened." I said. I didn't say it earlier, but I know Prompto was there. Meters away, but he still listening.
"A date." Prompto murmured. "Are you sure about that? It sounds dangerous."
"But it's one way to learn the truth." I said. "Unless, you told me everything right now."
"You know I can't." he said. Prompto seems to be calm now whenever we talked about this little secret.
"Then at least give me a hint." I said.
"Hint. Let's see." Prompto opened his eyes and crossed his arms. He made a face like he is thinking seriously.
Suddenly, his face turned uneasy. I know exactly why.
We both stand up, armed. The surrounding suddenly smelled dangerous, like the swirling stink of dead bodies in the Underworld. Demons.
Smokes swirled at one side of the apartment. When it faded, Ignis emerged with a bunch of oddly looking demons.
"General," Ignis said respectively. "We need to have a discussion."
Prompto sighed. He knew what this all about. And I assume that I also know the reason. It's probably because I asked Prompto to give me a hint about his secret.
When you think about it; the more unintentional clues I get, the more the secret is getting too much private… that even giving a small detail of it is not allowed.
I summoned one of my swords in the air and pointed it at Ignis throat.
"You can't speak to him," I said. "…if you don't get permission from me."
Ignis looked at me. I can see some flickering purple flames on his eyes.
"What?" I said, composed. "You're gonna tell me again that I don't have that much authority to oppose?"
Prompto stepped between us. He gave me a warily look. "Noct, I'll handle this." He said.
Even before I could say a thing, Prompto flicked his fingers and he vanished in black smokes along with the other demons.
Today is Saturday, meaning, my date with Lightning is today. I'm supposed to be happy about that, because today, maybe I will gain some hope-to-be-reasonable reasons. But… something is bothering me. My instincts were telling me that today is going to be one of the worst days of my life instead of the happiest.
Prompto didn't return since the incident with Ignis the other day. Even Miss Lilac, she still hasn't shown herself. What's this; a secret scheme on how to leave a stupid dark prince on the labyrinth-like mortal world alone? Geez, it's not funny at all.
I was sitting at a branch of the giant oak tree at the forest. From where I was sitting, I can catch a glimpse of the Main Line Academy building. It seems to be shining as the sun beamed into it. Earth. Such a wonderful place to annihilate…
"Geez." Lightning walked underneath the oak tree. Her face seems irritated. "Why did we have to meet here? That guy… he has horrible taste of choosing meeting places."
I jumped down behind her. "What did you say?" I asked, smiling.
Lightning twirled around. She rolled her eyes. "I said you have a horrible taste."
Lightning looked a little different today because she doesn't wear her uniform. Instead, she wore a black shirt beneath a pink hooded jacket, pants and high tops rubber shoes.
"But being fond of someone like you don't seem to be called as horrible." I smiled.
"Shut up." She retorted. Though, those made her face a little… red.
"So," I changed the subject. "What should we do?"
Lightning glared at me, so hard, I thought the ground would shake. "You're the one who decided this, and you're asking me what should we do!... Geez, don't tell me, you didn't even thought anything about what were gonna do today?"
"No." I confessed. "Honestly, I don't even know what a date is supposed to be like."
"A date…" Lightning said impatiently. "It's about a boy and a girl… watching movies together, eating in a restaurant, and…. Never mind. Let's just get going." She marched away, mumbling on herself about how I always made her extremely irritated.
I caught up next to her, "So, what should we do?" I asked again.
"I don't know." She admitted. "Let's just walk around and see what would happen."
"Are you angry?" I said, hoping she would say no.
"Of course." Lightning hide her hands on her jacket and said in a soft voice. "Every girl would."
I don't understand what it means, but it does seem to be really upset her.
After a few minutes of walking, we arrived in front of a strange building. The structure was old-fashioned, with two vast columns at both sides. Greek style, I'm pretty sure that it is how it was called since the Underworld has the same architecture. And then on our back, was stood a wide green park which is packed with mortals. The scene made me feel itchy.
"What is this place?" I asked. "It's so crowded."
Lightning looked at me skeptically. "You don't even know a shopping mall?" she said.
Uh-uh, I thought.
"O-of course I know." I lied. "It's just that…" I looked around and frowned. "I have never been at this shopping mall. The ones I've been to, were a lot…. bigger." It sounds like a question.
Honestly, what does a shopping mall exactly looks like?
I studied Lightning expression. Her face seems a bit… amused? Then, a few seconds after, the truth comes out, Lightning burst out laughing.
"I can't believe you fall for that!" she said, laughing out loud. I looked at her, stunned.
"Come on!" Lightning patted me sympathetically. "I was just joking. What kind of people will build such a boring looking shopping mall, huh?" She looked at me. I gave her a frowned.
Her smile faded. "Don't tell me… you honestly never been to a shopping mall before?"
"No," I admitted. I don't want to be fool again, you know.
"Okay." Lightning held up her hands to surrender. "Fine. Sorry to make fun of you, Mr. Naïve."
"Naïve?" I said, offended.
"Sorry." She said, suppressing a smile. "Anyway, this…" she pointed at the Greek building. "…is actually an art gallery."
"A museum." I added, nodding.
"Yeah. And the art placed in here are mostly… holy. Which is also means, this gallery is more like a Christian Museum."
A shiver went throughout my body. "C-Christian? Y-you… you're joking again, right?"
Lightning raised an eyebrow. "Why should I joke about something about God?"
I gulped. No, I won't go in there. Never. But even before I can utter it out, Lightning held my hand and pulled me towards the Museum. Of course, the electricity that passed from her hand into mine was a lot more petrifying than the feeling of terror by the holy arts inside the Museum. So, I am gonna let myself fall this time. Just this time.
In just seconds, we were inside the building. Cold air rapidly touches my skin. Entering a sacred territory must be the most dangerous thing a demon would do.
I squeezed Lightning hand. It's a little sweaty, but warm.
"Do we look like were having a date?" I asked her.
Lightning bit her lips, flushing. "Maybe."
Lightning lead the holy museum tour. She introduced me to some pictures of highly known priests and bishops, to the white-winged angels, saints, and of course, they're God. A handsome guy, I guessed.
After that, we carry on walking. Lightning continued to talked, as I tried my very best to keep up.
To be honest, knowing the other world is nice, but, the feeling of fright still doesn't leave me. The sculptures seem to be glaring at me as we passed by. I am on their territory. I shouldn't let my guard down.
The air was becoming colder, and the only thing that kept me felt warm is Lightning's hand.
"…this is Archangel Michael." Lightning gestured towards a painting of an angel treading a demon on the ground while holding a sword.
"He's killing a demon." I noticed.
"Yeah, Angel Michael is believed to be the one who slay the most vicious demon, Lucifer."
"But the killing looks kinda bad." I said. "Does he need to stomp on him?"
"Lucifer is bad. That's only natural." She said. "Someone as cruel as him, being killed like that is still not enough."
If she wasn't Lightning, I probably turned her to dust by now. I don't exactly met Lucifer, but being a demon myself, I kinda feel affected.
I was ready to debate when cold tremor suddenly runs through me. The hair on my back stood. Something, no, someone was staring at me. I rapidly twirled around and found Prompto standing inches away from us with a weird smile on his face.
"Hey…" he said.
"Prompto." I felt a queasy feeling. Prompto looked different as usual. Something about him has changed, just like the last time. But this time, it was worst. His eyes were deep, like he hasn't eaten for days. His blonde hair was dark and grimy. He wore total black clothes and a silver chain necklace hanging on his neck.
Lightning spoke beside me, "Oh, it's you Mr. Doughier."
Prompto walked towards Lightning and offered his hand. "We still haven't introduced ourselves properly, right?" He said. "Just call me Prompto. You don't have to be so formal."
"Okay." Lightning said, shaking his hand. "Then calling me Light is fine, too."
Under normal circumstances, I would react on why she was so friendly with him and even offering him to call her Light, but… nothing about this is normal.
"Why are you here?" I asked.
Prompto turned to me. He smiled. "Nothing. Just visiting a museum. Don't worry; I won't bother your date. You can just continue and pretend I don't exist."
Lightning blushed. "N-no… We…"
I let go of her hand. She hushed in surprised.
"Then, why…." I walked toward Prompto and whispered fiercely to his face. "Why did you bring them, Prompto?"
Fifteen, Nineteen… Twenty… Thirty… They keep increasing in numbers. Prompto brought demons with him. They are surrounding the whole museum. Inside and outside.
"I didn't." Prompto smiled faded. His face was deadly serious. "I'm not the one who brings them."
"Don't fuck with me." I whispered. I don't want Lightning to hear what we're talking about. "If it's not you, then who did?"
"I did."
Stella was walking towards Prompto and me. She wore black knee length dress and her hair was curled like a princess. To me, she looked typically the same; stunningly vicious.
"Stella." I said, surprised. "Why are you here?"
Stella glanced at Lightning and raised her eyebrow in displeasure, before turning to me. "I just came here to remind someone of a deal."
"Deal? What deal?" I questioned.
Stella laughed softly and traced my jaw with her finger. "So, you forgot."
"Um…" Lightning coughed.
We all looked at her. Her face was crumpled. I don't know if she's angry or she just don't want her precious time to be wasted. "If you want to talk, then can I excuse myself?"
"No." Stella said the same time I said, "Yes."
"I can escort her home." Prompto suggested.
"No." Stella said again. "You don't have to be such in a hurry." She marched towards Lightning and smiled. "My name's Stella."
"Lightning." Lightning said. She doesn't seem amused to talk to her.
"Nice meeting you." Stella looked forth to me and Lightning. "You're having a date, are you?"
"More like a tour." Lightning reasoned.
Stella giggled. "Then, can you give me a tour, as well?"
"No." I said. I pulled Lightning away from her. "We are the ones who are having a date. If you want to have company, Prompto can be one. He's visiting the museum by himself as well."
"Yeah." Prompto said, as he clutched Stella's shoulder. "I'll take care of her."
Holding Lightning's hand, I jogged away from them. Lightning keep up with me as she try not to stumble. We need to get out of here fast. I can't let Stella do anything she wants. I can't let her hurt Lightning.
"Wait." Lightning shouted. "I thought you wanted me to leave."
"Yeah." I said. "I wanted you… to run away with me."
I don't know how long we've been running, but when I let go of her, we are back in the forest.
"That was fun." I chuckled.
"That's not fun." Lightning sat in exhaustion. "I almost run out of breath."
I looked at her. Her strawberry pink hair was shining as the ray of sun beamed into it and her crystal blue eyes were sparkling. She's beautiful. No other woman can be compared to her, not even Stella. Wait… Stella… right, I need to go back.
"Sorry." I said. "I need to go." Before Lightning even response, I ran back.
The museum was empty when I arrived. I mean, literally empty. The crowd of mortals disappeared, as well as the gallery's paintings and sculptures. The place looked deserted, like it hadn't been used for centuries.
"Noct." Prompto materialized next to me. "You're late."
"Too late." I corrected him. "Where's Stella?"
"I don't know. Right after you leave, Stella attacked me from behind. When I woke up, the museum was already like this. I think, she ordered her demons to killed all the mortals and destroy the religious things here in the museum."
Prompto bit his lower lip. "Noct. Stella is very, very angry."
I sighed. "Why is she even in here?"
"She said it to you earlier. Stella is here to take you back." Prompto said. "You make a deal with her, remember? If you mess up your quest, she's going to take you back to the Underworld. By force."
"I don't mess up." I said. "I still haven't even attempted to kill Lightning."
"And you'll never will." Stella emerged from black smokes in front of me. Because of panic, Prompto hurriedly vanished.
Stella eyes were dimly sad. "You will never kill her, Noct. You can't even lay a finger on her."
"What are you saying?" I asked.
"You're scared to lose her. You're scared that if you kill her, then she wouldn't be around anymore." She said.
"Scared? Why should I be scared?"
"Because…" Stella's face darkened. "Because you love her."
"I am not in love with anyone." I supposed that was not the right thing to say. Because when I did, Stella's eyes turned red.
"Of course." She said. Her voice was trembling. "You're not in love with anyone. Of course I know that, as well."
"I'm sorry. Y-you… you're always like a sister to me, Stella. I-I'm… I'm really sorry…"
"You don't have to say sorry, Noct. Demons don't apologize." Stella caressed my cheek, softly. "I'm not a good girl. You should never forget that."
"Stella…" I said.
Stella hugged me. "If you're not going to be mine, then no one can own you, Noct. Especially that girl, I'm not going to let her have you." She put her lips on my ears. She whispered. "If you're not going to kill her, then I will." Black smokes filled around her, and then she vanished.
I cursed. "Sh*t! I need to find Lightning! Stella will…"
"Not yet." Someone said behind me.
I looked around. To my surprise, Miss Lilac was there with Prompto by her side.
"She was the one who wake me up." Prompto said. "Since Stella make me fall asleep pretty badly."
"Hello, Noct." Miss Lilac said. "Long time no see."
"It's only three days." I told her. "You're exaggerating."
If you look normally, Miss Lilac looked as usual; a pretty middle age woman, who always wearing a stunning wide smile. But if you look rationally, you can see that something had changed in her, too. Like Prompto, her blonde hair was a lot darker than before. Her eyes were also deep, but because of make-up, you can't see it very well. However, the thing that bothered me the most… was her power.
Before, when Miss Lilac was around, I can always sense her killing intent, her vicious aura that flows within her body. It is too powerful that it can make my blood frost in terror. But now, I felt nothing. Even though she's standing in front of me, I can't felt her presence. To make it simple, Miss Lilac doesn't have any powers right now. She is like a doll without a soul.
"What happened to you?" I asked.
Her smile faded, but it came back as fast as it vanished. "What are you saying?"
"Answer me." I said. "Where are your powers?"
"Powers? Of course I have it inside my body. Want to look?" Miss Lilac laughed. But when she noticed that I'm not buying it, she stopped. "What do you want to know?" She asked.
"Where's your powers? Did my father seal it?"
"No. I did it myself."
My eyes widened. "Huh? What are you saying? Only the King can do the sealing power."
Miss Lilac crossed her arms. "I am powerful as well, Noct. To give you a trivia, the demons even wanted me to be the Queen before."
"Then why didn't you take it?" I said.
"It's none of your business." Miss Lilac wrapped her arm into Prompto's. I thought Prompto would turn into stone, but surprisingly, he didn't. Now that clears up all, Prompto didn't oppose Miss Lilac only because he is scared of her. And now that she doesn't have any powers, he doesn't have any reason to fear.
"You should be thinking about the Farron girl." Miss Lilac said. "She's in trouble, isn't she?"
"You said, not yet, right?" I said. "That made me remember that Stella never do anything unless she told you about it. But since you're here, Stella still hasn't told you that she will kill Lightning, am I right?"
Miss Lilac smiled, amused. "You got it, or maybe not. Honestly, for these past few days, Stella sometimes done something she didn't tell me. Like what happened in this Museum. So, maybe, she's not planning to tell me about this as well. I just say 'not yet' because I know it's dangerous to act without plan."
I nodded. "Maybe you're right or maybe not. But now I remember Miss Lilac, you're good on intuition, too."
"I don't have powers right now, Noctis." She reminded me.
"Having powers or not, I still trust you."
The two looked really astonished. So, it took few seconds until Miss Lilac answered, "That's…. touching."
"Really touching." Prompto added. "I never know you say such things."
"Shut up." I told them, embarrassed. I shouldn't have said a word.
But then, I grinned.
Miss Lilac smile washed out. "I wonder if you can still smile after what's going to happen, Noctis." She said. Her face was utterly serious. "Next week… is the last day to make a choice."
"What do you mean, last day?" I asked, surprised. "You mean a deadline?"
"Yeah. Your father is going impatient. He wants you to be done killing her next week, or else…" Miss Lilac faltered.
"Or else?" I questioned.
Miss Lilac seems not to know how to say it, so Prompto did. "Or else the Demon King will personally kill her… in front of you."
"Huh?"
"He wants you to see how he will devour the soul of Miss Farron."
"W-why? Why does he need to show it me?"
"For your punishment." Prompto said. "Seeing the one you love getting killed in front of your eyes…"
"I don't love her!" I objected. "Why do all of you insist that I love that girl?"
"Because you do love her." Miss Lilac reasoned. "You just haven't accepted it yet."
"Accepted it? Why should I? I don't have any feelings to accept!" My stomach starting to boiled in frustration. Why do they keep insisting that lie? Why do they say I've already done something they absolutely don't want me to do?
"Aren't you're the one who told me not to fall in love with her?" I told Miss Lilac. "What's that? A joke?"
"Noct…" Miss Lilac voice was trembling. I've never seen her so fragile before. "I'm so sorry. I thought that I could stop you… but… please... please understand. Someday, I swear that it's all gonna make sense, but for now… please... I-I'm so sorry."
I knit my eyebrows. "You don't have to say sorry. Like Stella said, Demons don't apologize."
I've reached my limit. So, before anything can be done, I need to leave. I made Black smokes appeared from my feet that twirled within my body. In an instant, I vanished along with it.
I don't know exactly where I am going, so I just let my senses think about it. When the black smokes vanished, I was standing in a wide, green pasture. I pretty sure that this wasn't part of Main Line Academy, because I never seen any place in there which is as peaceful as this.
Miles away, was a dark forest. I am also quite certain that it wasn't the same forest at the school facility, since the smell is different (don't asked me about the details). So, probably, the forest was the entrance all the way through this place.
And then right behind my back was a large live oak tree. I was about to take a step when I heard voices talking.
"…what do you want?" It was a voice of someone I am very aware of. Lightning.
I am not supposed to eavesdropped, but then I heard whom she was talking to. My body stopped moving.
"You know what I want." Stella said. Her tone sounds really fierce.
My heart sank. I never thought that Stella was really serious about killing her.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about." Lightning answered, though her voice sounds like she has a clue on what Stella's talking about.
"Playing innocent, huh. Nice. You're making me hate you more. That's good." I can't see it, but Stella must've smile.
Lightning seems already lost her patience. She said, "Would you stop going around in circles anymore? Say what you really want. Directly."
"Fine. Since you insist it, I would." Stella voice turned a little softer, but a lot more offensive. "I want you to stay away from Noctis."
I flinched. This is bad. If this goes on, it wouldn't be that easy to stop it anymore. I need to stop Stella. Now.
I was about to charge, when Lightning said, "No. I can't do that." I froze again.
It's weird. Those bare words she said should encourage me more to stop the situation, but… my body won't response. It's seems waiting for more answers, for more confessions that would come out from Lightning's mouth.
To tell you the truth, I want to know her badly, as well as she wants to know me.
If I don't interfere for now, would I know something about what she was thinking?
"I can't… stay away from him." Lightning continued. "Not anymore. I tried to keep my distance, but… I can't seem to make myself believe that I don't want to see him… that I don't want to be with him…."
"SHUT UP!" Stella screamed. Lightning hushed in surprised.
I took a peek behind the tree. Stella was holding Lightning's shoulders. Her eyes were full of tears and almost golden. Stella's voice was trembling with anger. "Y-you… you don't know anything… Those feelings of yours… those selfish thoughts… are all burden on him. You don't know anything, so you don't have the right to say that you wanted to be with him…"
"S-Stella…" Lightning said with concerned.
Stella bowed her head. From where I was standing, I can see that her eyes turned red. "You're a burden. You… you are just a hindrance for him… because of you; he is being unable to fulfill his wish….But, if you disappear, then everything… Noct… he will be happy…."
Lightning stand stiff in terror, as Stella raised her head. "Y-you're eyes were red." She faltered.
Stella smiled. "Really? Well, you should be grateful that you're able to see my pretty eyes before you die."
Immediately, Stella raised her hand and… Slash.
With my relief, I grabbed Lightning in time and separated her away from Stella before she was turned into half.
Stella eyes' widened when she saw me. She lowered her long coal-black sword.
Lightning was shaking in terror. "S-she…."
"I explained it all later." I said, as I gripped her tighter in my arms.
"You… you protected her." Tears fell from Stella's eyes and then her sword vanished.
"Sorry." I told her. "But… I can't let you harm her. Not when I'm still alive at least."
"You said you don't love her…" Stella cried.
I locked eyes with her. "Then… I'll take it back."
We should run away, I thought. I should get Lightning away from here. I don't want to see her in danger anymore.
I summon black smokes. It twirled around from our feet.
"Noctis…" It must be my imagination, but Stella doesn't seem to have even a little anxiety in her eyes.
Or perhaps, she just already tired; tired of chasing after.
I tried not to think about it, however, before we can vanish, Stella spokes some words that engraved to my mind.
"Noct," she softly muttered. "You'll definitely regret stopping me."
Stella wasn't bothered, because she was sure that I'll come back, that some time, I regret everything. That lovable smile I've seen that time was definitely a sweet warning. It told me that something worst than this is going to happen.
Thanks for reading :)
*NOTE: Prompto's surname is not official or anything. I do not own him. (C) Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Square Enix.