a/n: because drifter17 has generously pointed out that my fellow Stellis fans are thirsty for some NxS hints in this story (really guys? you want to read more NxS moments? ^^)... I'll be spoiling a little something to you guys for the next chapters to come... just check it out below after you guys read ch21~! ok? :) thanks for the read!! wish you'll enjoy this one!!
Disclaimer: SquareEnix owns Noctis, Stella and such... OCs and AU plot are mine. :)
"Oblivious Fate"
By: rorudesu-chan
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Chapter 21: Push of Curiosity
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Noctis leaned his back on the horizontal pole. He was exhausted. Sweat trickled down his forehead and his heavy breathing made his well-chiseled chest rise up and down. It was a good thing that Marceau finally learned how to give the cotillion representatives every now and then a five to ten minute break.
A girl with flaxen mane approached him. She was also tired but for her, a smile was not worth an ounce of effort.
"Noct!" the girl grinned, settling herself beside Noctis.
After giving him an ice cold bottle of orange-flavored Gatorade, she pushed her two arms on the bar and hoisted herself up. She sat rather comfortably on the pole with her feet dangling about six inches in air.
"Don't tell me you're tired."
"Aren't you, Stella?" The Prince asked, glancing at his partner who twisted the cap of her water bottle open.
"A bit," Stella replied. "But the cotillion is only a few more days away. I don't think I can afford slacking off."
Noctis nodded in response, drinking vigorously the energy beverage.
Stella gazed upon the reflection of a Prince and an Ambassador that bounced off from the studio's huge mirror across them. They were settled close to each other now. Closer than before. His elbow that rested above the ballet pole almost touched Stella's left hand. The Ambassador couldn't believe how successful she was with the intimacy she was acquiring from the Caelum Prince. Noctis too, secretly felt victorious with the fact that the Tenebraean Ambassador was easily falling for his 'kind-hearted' identity.
Both could almost taste the end that their missions offered.
But the question now was which one of them would dare make the first move against each other?
"Hey," Blue irises flickered.
Noctis glanced.
"Tomorrow's going to be a big night, right?"
The Prince sighed. "It depends how a person takes it, Stella."
"I know. But, I think it will be. All the important people of every kingdom will be there. Everyone will once again get the chance to express their own country's dilemmas."
"Yeah, quite useless though."
"Why?"
"Nothing really happens much. It's all talk. There's no action."
"There is."
"No, there isn't."
"Prove it."
Noctis fell silent.
The Ambassador smirked in victory. "See? You can't prove that nothing's changing. Attaining peace and order is difficult, Noct. But it can still happen even if the processes are slow."
"Whatever you say, Stella." Noctis said, leaving the ballet pole. His back was now turned to her.
Stella's forehead creased. "I don't get you." She slid herself off the railing, landing on her feet. "Why did you suddenly get all negative about the conference?"
"I don't think I was opposing anything."
"You were and you know that. Look," Stella snapped. "If you really want proof, try observing things tomorrow, alright?"
"I told you," he said. "I won't be there."
"You have to. Isn't that your responsibility, Prince Noctis?"
She was successful. Stella had made him feel all the more guilty, though she was completely unaware of her doing.
He boldly faced her, deep cobalt eyes glaring coldly. "Since when did you start becoming my conscience?"
Stella was caught off guarded by his reply. His words stung, his stare penetrated. But she wouldn't dare back down.
"Since that night you made me believe that we can try to find an answer on how we could deal with our realities which we can't hate."
Noctis froze. 'That night'…? He couldn't remember it at all and he knew he just had to be honest.
"I don't remember saying something like that, Stella. I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" Stella asked. "For what?"
"Break's over, people! Get back to your positions! The final step is about to be completed! Move! Move! Move!"
The cotillion representatives rushed back into their places, fearing Marceau's wrath. It was quite noisy, but Stella wanted to make sure Noctis would hear what she still had to say.
"We better get back to our positions." Noctis darkly said, moving away from her.
"Tell me Noct," She said. His feet suddenly halted. "Do you simply hate the conference because it's really not much of a help to our kingdoms?"
No. It is a help to my kingdom.
"Or are you just afraid of going there because of something else?"
Yes. I am afraid. That's why I refuse to go back there.
Stella raised her head. Her warm eyes wondered as it stared upon his in search for an answer.
Noctis had wanted to tell her. But he could only go as far in his thoughts. He was scared in even telling her his response.
In a blink of an eye, Stella was walking away from Noctis. She was sorry for him. How could he ever manage to rule the kingdom that his father had passed onto him if he wasn't even clear to himself?
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He didn't know what pushed him to do what he was doing right now. But what was contained within Salsus' thoughts was something that was never there before.
Morality.
Truth.
Justice.
With a flashlight held in one hand, Salsus flipped the pages of the data book swiftly, carefully scanning each paragraph for the answers he sought. The library was dark and no one else was inside it. There was someone guarding outside. But Salsus was clever enough to get pass through security. He wasn't supposed to be in the library of the Caelum kingdom's records. He wasn't Caelum himself, thus making him illegitimate to be within its premises. But there he was, seated uncomfortably in one corner, searching meticulously for the connection between Arkenis and King Eneas Spei Fleuret.
Page 763… 764… 765… 766… 767… 768.
Salsus had reached the final page of the data book which held records of previous proposals with the other nations. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful in finding even a small fragment of evidence. He could now feel his whole body drenched in sweat. He placed down the dusty book as torn pieces of pages flickered off. Salsus touched his school blouse which had suctioned itself onto his damp chest. He began to pull it up and down in desperate attempt to let air cool his body.
Salsus leaned the back of his head upon the bookshelf. He closed his eyes and let his mind drift off.
He owed a huge portion of his life to the family of his dear friend, Noctis. Because of the Caelum Crystal's power, his beloved grandfather was able to live even longer despite his sickness. For that, Salsus was entirely grateful. And because he was, the witty lad decided to pursue helping Arkenis reach his goal, since he was a close comrade of the late King Neleus.
But lately, Salsus had been thinking quite a lot. He had also been confused more often. Especially now that he had stumbled upon a letter which he felt would completely change things from then on.
Salsus suddenly remembered the letter as he propped himself upright. He reached deep into his pocket and retrieved the paper which had burnt sides. He stared at it and he knew that it was something that he wasn't supposed to have. He realized it and the moment he did, Salsus crumpled the letter within the palm of his right hand and he threw it across him.
"Damn letter," he muttered.
Suddenly, the hazel haired boy heard footsteps. Quickly, Salsus clicked his flashlight off and stood up slowly. Using the book shelf before him, he peeked through it to find out who was inside the library along with him. His eyes widened at the sight of the man that stood with his back facing him. He knew who that man was and now wanted to get away from the spot where he stayed. But before he could, the officer spoke with his creepy, authoritative voice.
"Salsus, you may come out now. Let's not play a ridiculous game of hide-and-seek, alright? I'm old and I don't desire playing anymore."
After that, Salsus unexpectedly felt strong pairs of arms pushing him roughly and holding him down on his neck and arms. The book shelf before him fell violently with a loud thud and hundreds of ancient paperbacks flew in all directions and scattered on the floor. There was dust everywhere. But as the place slowly cleared off, the figure of the tall man approached the glasses-wearing lad whose face was forcefully held down, kissing the dirty ground.
"Tsk, tsk…"
Salsus groaned. "Sir Arkenis!" He exclaimed, fidgeting his arms that were seized by two unknown soldiers. "What is the meaning of this?!"
Arkenis bent down, propping one foot upon the fallen bookcase. "Isn't that supposed to be my question, Salsus?"
The boy refused to respond though the military officer wanted him to.
"Forgive me for being rude but," he said, his eyes glared scathingly. "Have you seen a letter addressed to me by King Eneas?"
Salsus froze, his body still fighting the powerful clutch of Arkenis' soldiers.
"So you did have a previous connection with Tenebrae…" the boy said, raising his head. "What happened, Sir Arkenis?!"
Salsus saw the Caelum officer grin maniacally.
Slap!!!
The boy's head swiftly jerked to the left, his glasses jumping off to the floor. He grumbled in pain. He felt his cheek burn, blood pulsing wildly beneath the sore spot.
Arkenis grinned once more, his hand cupping Salsus' chin, squeezing it with anger. "I do not remember this part of our deal, Salsus. I thought you only agreed to help me out, to follow my instructions without question. But… my, my, what has happened??"
"You're planning something evil. I just know it!"
Arkenis chortled. "Everything that I have done is for the good of this kingdom! Why, if not for me, Prince Noctis would surely not have moved on from his parents' death! How could you say that whatever I plan is evil??"
The officer brusquely let go of the boy's chin.
Salsus breathed hardly. "You're saying that it isn't evil that you have to sacrifice the lives of countless just for the Crystal?!"
Arkenis leered, raising a hand. Salsus closed his eyes and prepared himself for the pain he was about to feel once more. But the officer smirked darkly and placed down his hand.
"Since you know something already, why don't I just spoil you with the rest? This way, you can bring a lot of memories when you pass from this kingdom to the next."
The boy felt a sudden surge of shock within him. His brown irises broadened. Was he going to die right now? Salsus swallowed his thoughts. He buried his head beneath the floor. Maybe he was, he thought. He hadn't been doing anything much in his life except 'spy' Noctis and Stella and the previous' duty which involved the latter.
What use did he have more?
Salsus raised his head again. A glassy look gazed upon Arkenis.
"If you're going to kill me right here, right now…" the lad muttered. "Then tell me first why King Eneas refused the so-called, 'land domination'. What does it have to do with the Crystal anyway?! What is Stella Nox Fleuret's connection with Eneas Spei Fleuret?! How it is that she knows nothing about the Tenebrae King if he ever did exist?! Tell me… Tell me everything…!"
Arkenis stood up. A laugh suddenly reverberated within the quiet walls of the library. Tonight would be the night he chose to reveal the things he has done in the past. Tonight would be the night Salsus knows more of what Noctis and Stella have yet to discover.
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a/n: hope you guys liked this chapter! tell me how it was, okay? please Review! Comment! Criticize! Thank you!!! :D
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*~REVIEW REPLIES~*
(20. Conversation)
Selena: I'm glad you loved ch20! I also liked how Noctis was watching Stella during her PE class.
Stella & Noctis fan.: The letter will definitely play a big role in the succeeding chapters to come. Hope you'll be able to read that future update!
Warangel88: Hehe! Salsus was smart enough to make a connection with the letter and Stella. Though, I'd say that it was a pretty obvious case...
Cesia: Drama? Yep... It does look as if the (serious) drama will finally be unfolded because of that letter.
Iris: I'm happy that you loved the S/N part! Hope to hear your thoughts again about the next chapters with relation to the letter!
drifter17: hey! thanks for pointing out a few facts! I really appreciate getting feedbacks like those! :) But don't worry though... the whole mystery & details of every character will soon unfold in the future chapters to come. I know the revelations are a bit slow (sorry about that!), but you must know that I'm measuring and balancing what comes out in every update so that it won't be confusing for me or for you guys in the latter parts. Things should be organized, in other words. Also, I'm making it a point to unfold things as fast as possible so reading a chapter won't be boring. :)
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** ___ is undeniably looking for ___ at the conference...
**does ___ feel a little bit jealous about ___ because (he/she) is with ___???
**and oh~! will a 'kiss' be happening in one of the future chapters to come??? maybe... maybe not... stay tuned~!
(really sorry about the blanks, guys... if i placed the name then the next updates might not be that much thrilling to wait for... :) hope those 3 spoils was good enough for you to want the next parts )