a/n: the first (official?) battle scene for OF is in this chapter... I'm sooo happy! :)
"Hakai"- the name I gave for Noctis' sword. It means 'destruction' in Japanese. I would've given it a Latin name but I think too much of Latin in Versus is, well, too much.
"Bellum"- this kingdom's name means 'war' in Latin. Bellum country would probably be mentioned in this chapter only.
Paragraphs enclosed within two hyphens are considered to either be the flashbacks of a character or some event which happened in the past. :)
Disclaimer: don't own Versus. I think. Joke! SE does!
"Oblivious Fate"
By: rorudesu-chan
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Chapter 26: Taste of Betrayal
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"Well," The brunette haired Ambassador flashed a smile across her scarlet lips. "Who are you dressing up for?"
Checking herself on the mirror, Stella was watching the ruffles of her blue evening dress sway as she spun on her heels.
"Myself, of course." She replied.
Somna folded her arms together and cocked a brow. "Is that so?"
"Yes,"
"Okay, I 'believe' you."
Stella turned around to face her. "What's that suppose to mean?"
"Nothing. Come on, the conference will be starting in an hour."
"Alright," The blonde agreed, walking to where she laid her purse down. As Somna ambled towards the door of Stella's bedroom, the younger diplomat suddenly called out.
"Wait,"
Somna tilted her head. "What's wrong? Did you forget something?"
"Do you know where my rapier is?"
"Pardon?" the brunette asked with a perplexed look on her face.
"My rapier. Have you seen it?"
"It's in the fencing building. Why do you—"
"No, Somna… My battle rapier. I need it."
"What?" Somna raised her voice. "What would you need it for?"
"I'm not sure," Stella grinned. "But I really feel like something's going to happen tonight."
"Oh so you're a psychic now, huh?"
Impatient for a response, Stella dropped her purse on a nearby table and headed to her walk-in closet. Somna trailed the younger diplomat, not knowing why she greatly desired her rapier on that moment.
'Battle' rapier.
Somna knew there was a huge difference between what Stella used for fencing and what she used for fighting. Of course, Stella hadn't used her battle rapier since a small scale invasion that occurred just a year ago. She fought bravely and won against a small group of marauders of a nearby kingdom, with the chivalrous Tenebraean soldiers by her side. Stella was already warned not to include herself in the battle. Ambassadors don't fight as she was told. They help lead and decide what's best for their country. But who could stop a person's will, especially if it's Stella's?
"Ah!" the blonde exclaimed as she found a long velvet case in a hatch on one corner of the closet.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" Somna asked, observing Stella who was now approaching her.
"I've almost forgotten where I kept this." the blue eyed girl said.
"You can't bring that to the conference, Miss Fleuret." Somna's eyebrows crossed. "It's illegal!"
"Don't be absurd, Somna." Stella smiled, walking past her. "You and Spargo aren't the only ones who can bring their own little weapons to an event such as this."
Somna froze. There was no use in covering up the truth now.
"I-it's f-for… safety purposes! Y-yes! That's right! For protection!" she stammered. "How did you know we were…?"
Stella laughed. "Let's just say I can't learn how to hide a weapon secretly if my elder Ambassadors can't even do it well."
"Elder?!" Somna exclaimed, following the blonde girl out of the closet. She continued to speak to Stella as she placed the crimson colored case on her bed.
"I'll have you know that I'm just a little bit older than you, Miss Fleuret!"
"How old, Somna?" Stella teasingly asked, opening the locked case using its key she had kept in the hatch along with it.
"Hmph! It doesn't matter much, Miss Fleuret. What matters now is how on earth will you be able to hide a rapier? It's a sword for goodness sake!"
Stella's azure irises brightened at the sight of her beloved weapon. Its elegant spiral handle, painted in a rich golden color, was missed by her right hand. The blade of her rapier was not too heavy for her to wield in battle, and not too light for her enemy to take as easy.
The younger diplomat turned to face Somna. Her hand gripped the rapier's handle while the blade's end rested on her left palm. Somna adored how the sword's sharp edge glinted in the afternoon sun that shone through the bedroom window.
The brunette smirked. "Truly a remarkable weapon, one-of-a-kind, I might add."
Stella gazed upon her rapier. "This was a gift from Queen Seraphine herself. She gave it to me when I turned sixteen."
"Ah yes, I remember that day." The older diplomat went on. "Do you know who that rapier's original owner was?"
"Who?" Stella turned her look to Somna.
"King Eneas." She answered. "It was one of his favorite weapons to use whenever he defended this kingdom."
Stella returned her gaze upon the rapier and she smiled. "…all the more reason why I must fight against the enemies of Tenebrae."
"So… you're planning to kill the Caelum Prince tonight already?"
"No, I won't kill him." She paused momentarily. "…yet."
The younger Ambassador slipped her left hand away from the blade. She reached towards the tip of the hilt which had a rounded design. Stella smiled as she found the button upon the handle's tip which was barely recognizable from afar. She pressed it and the rapier's blade retracted in the middle.
Somna gasped. "It shortened!"
"I just realized that besides being used in battle, this rapier may also withdraw its blade halfway. Most likely for concealment purposes."
"That is amazing. No wonder you were so confident about bringing that thing to the conference."
Stella nodded, agreeing to Somna's words.
"Now you've found what you wanted to bring,"
"Yes,"
"Let's go, Miss Fleuret. The car's already waiting for us outside."
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Stella grasped her rapier firmly as she pointed it towards his neck. Her warm, blue eyes glared into his cold, cobalt ones.
"Tenebrae told me not to rush. But why would I dare to miss a chance like this?"
His fists tightened. Noctis was undeniably confused. Yet he did not feel fear rushing down the back of his spine. He was used to facing these kinds of scenarios. To him, it was no longer a surprise. However, the girl standing before him managed to startle his calm senses.
"What are you doing, Stella?"
Silence. There was no use answering his question, she thought.
"I was a fool, wasn't I?" he said, disregarding his first question.
"You don't need to question that fact." Stella spoke to Noctis who was half a foot away from her. "Why did you even bring me here? Have you lost your mind?!"
"I trusted you," said Noctis.
Stella shook her head sideways. "That's not a good reason, Noct. And to think you were the Prince of your kingdom. Shame, isn't it?"
"You're right about one thing." Noctis gritted his teeth. "But you're wrong about the other."
"It doesn't matter. What's at stake right now is your life." Stella thrust her rapier closer to his neck. "You should be afraid, Noct."
A smirk curled his lips though he felt the cold blade's tip against his throat. "Should I be, Stella?"
"Enough talk!" The blonde's eyebrows crossed. "Give me the Crystallite now or else…"
"You'll kill me?"
"Yes."
He couldn't see the hesitation in her eyes. There was no trace of reluctance in her heart either. Stella was going to get the Crystallite tonight. It was a now or never chance, for her kingdom and for her real identity.
"Alright," Noctis said. "If you want the Crystallite so badly, then I'll give it to you."
Stella remained still. Something was wrong. She was sure that he wouldn't simply give up something priceless that easily. What was he planning exactly?
The Prince turned around and entered the Crystal through its cracked opening.
He has already done something completely stupid. Why would he want to make another mistake?
Noctis approached the stalagmite that rested in the center of the Crystal. He then reached for the small rock. But before he left the place, Noctis went to the other side of the stalagmite.
Struck upon the Crystal's floor was a weapon of destruction with an intricate design.
Hakai—the name of the sword which King Neleus designed especially for his son. The machinery around the hilt provides maximum blow for every swing. The canister attached to the Hakai's handle sends force against the target whenever the weapons come in contact. In addition, besides using the sword for attacking, its broad, sturdy blade also serves as an absolute defense.
With the strength he had in his arm, the Caelum Prince swiftly pulled the weapon out of its hiding. It had been a long time since he used the Hakai. The last was when King Neleus took him to the borders of the kingdom six years ago. The conflict between their land and Bellum ended in a war and Noctis was asked by his father to aid their kingdom's forces in fighting against their enemy's troops. The Bellum kingdom was skilled in the art of war, claiming to have won over a hundred battles in the past. However, because of the advanced military tactics which the Caelum kingdom possessed, the opposing nation was defeated.
Finally, he stepped out of the Crystal. A grin flashed across Stella's face upon seeing the Crystallite held by Noctis. But that smile was quickly washed away by a fierce glare as the Ambassador spotted a weapon gripped by his other hand.
He stopped, half a foot away from her. "You want this, right?" Noctis began. "There's only one way to get it from me."
Stella smirked darkly, preparing herself. "You'll regret this."
Noctis grasped his sword tightly. "That's my line."
It began. The Prince made the first move against the Ambassador. The thick blade of his sword clashed against the fine blade of her rapier. Sparks of friction flew as the sound of iron was heard clanging in the air.
As Noctis' left hand was busy holding the Crystallite for him to protect, Stella's left hand was also busy clutching the lower part of her evening dress. It would get in the way when she stepped back to dodge his attack or when she lunged herself at him to bring about a heavy strike.
"Give up now." he asked, aiming to hit her right shoulder.
Seeing through his act, she swiftly blocked his weapon and replied, "You're not in the position to command me."
Stella saw an unguarded area. However, Noctis' keen eye was able to notice her plan of attack. Throwing the Crystallite in midair to free his left hand, the Prince grabbed her right wrist. He curtly pulled her towards him and his sword intended to slice through her throat. Seeing the quick blade's fast approach, the Ambassador ducked for her life. In exchange, strands of her hair were cut as she moved down. Rolling on one side, the Tenebraean managed to free herself from the Prince's hold.
She collected her stance. "Why did you even bring me here? Had you no idea that you were breaking your own rules?"
"I guess I was stupid." He raised his hand, catching the plummeting rock. "But if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't desire for the Crystallite."
"That's not the point, Noct."
"Are you regretting what you've started?"
Stella gritted her teeth. "No."
She charged at him from below. Noctis blocked the feisty slash of her rapier with Hakai's broad blade. Their faces were close to each other, only their weapons were between them. They struggled as they pushed against the force of either's blades. He wasn't going to back down and neither was she.
"What if I told you," she said, glowering into his eyes. "the true reason why I want the Crystallite?"
With full strength, Noctis shoved Stella away. "You think in doing so, I'll give this to you that easily?"
Landing on her feet, she replied, "Of course not. But…"
For the first time since the fight started, there was a momentary cease of swordfight.
"Telling why might make you understand me a lot better." She continued. "So do you want an explanation or what?"
Noctis responded, "That depends on how much truth there is to it."
"Hmm…" Stella said, pondering over his words. "You're right. The credibility of my explanation depends on whether it is truthful enough or not…"
It was time to get more serious. Seizing the lower portion of her blue dress, Stella raised her rapier and drove the blade through the fabric of her outfit. Ripping it up until her knees, she went on, "But it also depends on who I'm telling my reasons to."
Her gown was now torn short. Stella tossed the shredded satin fabric away and spoke, "I don't think you'll understand anyways, Noct. You have no idea how it feels like to lose such a huge part of yourself."
The Ambassador charged herself towards him. Noctis kept his stand. He held his weapon before him in order to block her attacks which were becoming quite predictable as their duel progressed. However, it was just a miscalculation. Stella was quick on her feet. Being so, gave her the advantage to launch multiple assails against the enemy. It was the perfect match for the Prince's keen vision for any incoming assaults.
Her attacks became more vicious as one slash from her rapier went by. They were becoming undeniably faster as well. Noctis felt all the more challenged. It was the first time he ever fought against a girl whose sword skills were almost of equal level with his.
"You're amused aren't you?" she asked, leaning backwards as his sword came above hers. "Aren't you getting a little bit too cocky?"
He raised a brow, smirking. "Don't get annoyed by that fact, Stella."
Annoyed.
How she detested that word whenever it came off his lips.
She quickly pushed his weapon away from her rapier. She clenched a fist tightly. Spotting his left cheek, Stella took the liberty of hitting it with full force.
Noctis groaned in pain as he found himself stumbling to one side. He felt the left side of his face pulse wildly. As much as he wanted to stroke his burning cheek to ease the pain, Noctis simply couldn't since his right hand held Hakai while his left held the Crystallite.
Looking at his face suffering in silence, Stella said, "Just give me the rock you're holding and all of this will be over, Noct."
"Weren't you paying attention earlier?" he investigated. "I told you, you'll just have to get this off of my hand if you want it that badly."
"Fine," Stella replied, taking his words seriously and literally.
She lunged herself towards him one more time. Furious, Stella wielded her rapier and delivered an aerial blow towards Noctis. Thinking that her attack would come again from below, he was caught off guard by the presence of her weapon above him. Noctis tried to shield himself from her assault however, his efforts were fruitless. The Tenebraean was too fast. Her last move yanked his grasp off the Crystallite. Trailing the rock to where it would fall, the Caelum son wasn't able to fend himself from Stella's next act.
They were now near the left railings of the basement's hanging pathway to the Crystal of massive height. Below was an abyss of sure death to anyone who would hurl or be hurled over the metal handrails.
Noctis did not become an exception to that accidental fate.
By the time he returned his attention to the enemy, Stella's right foot shoved him out of balance. Noctis felt the sharp end of her heel pressing heavily against his chest. He grimaced as he was pushed backwards over the railings. The Prince could've steadied himself but he became immediately distracted when he lost hold of the Crystallite, fearing for the enemy's possession.
Stella regained her stand. Deeply breathing in and out, she felt beads of sweat trickle down her back, her chest and her face. The exhausting fight took so much out of her. She never thought that Noctis would be such a tough weed to pull. She was impressed but at the same time Stella took pity of the rather violent end he received.
The Caelum Prince was now gone. Yet his death would've been more certain if the Ambassador heard the thud of his body hitting the ground. But figuring that the pathway of the Crystal was about ten feet high, the sound of him falling would most likely be reduced to a mere plunk.
Stella smiled at her victory. Scanning the area, the blue eyed Ambassador searched the spot where the Crystallite fell. At last there on the right side, the rock lay still, waiting for anyone to come and take possession of its mystery and power.
The blonde girl approached the Crystallite. Upon reaching it, she slowly bent down and retrieved the rock with one hand. Stella gazed as she felt the sharpness and rigidness of the Crystallite's surface beneath her palm.
The battle was over…
The Ambassador now wondered how she would get herself out the place as quick as possible. She was sure about the basement having security cameras concealed in specific areas. A troop of soldiers must be on their way already, well-prepared to capture the intruder. Unfortunately, the fight against Noctis drained a lot of energy out of Stella. What she had left was only enough to escape out of the company, alive.
—or so she thought.
"Stella," an enigmatic voice called out.
She froze in place. Stella knew that tone of speaking all too well. She turned around, a palette of colors flashed too swiftly before her eyes.
Deep Cobalt. The color of his eyes drowned in scorn.
Midnight blue. The color of his untamed locks following his head's direction.
Metal Grey. The color of Hakai's blade thrusting forth.
Royal Gold. The color of her rapier shoved off into the air.
Scarlet Red. The color of blood oozing from her right hand.
Stella propelled herself away from Noctis.
"You're supposed to be dead, Caelum Prince!" she exclaimed, wincing in pain.
He brandished his sword and replied, "The fight hasn't ended yet, Stella… The real battle has only begun!"
The tables have turned. Now in her possession was the Crystallite. While in his, was the will to get it back.
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a/n: Hope I was able to describe the fight scene properly. Credit for the description of Noctis' sword goes to this forum site: (gamespot).com/ps3/rpg/finalfantasyversus13/show_?topic_id=m-1-48530617&pid=932981... There's a picture of the so-called 'canister' of Noctis' sword in that site too! I didn't notice that it was there before, but I think its cool! Anyways, please don't forget to Review/Comment/Criticize! Thanks so much!!
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*~REVIEW REPLIES~*
(25. Flashbacks)
ken08002: Hope I did a good job in this battle where Noctis kicks Stella's ass. :)
SilverIceDragon: Thanks for liking the cliffhanger ending. I was really going for that 'hanging' impact you'd get whenever something is reaching the climax. I'm glad I was able to pull it off in ch25 considering the fact that a lot of people told me how it ended just like that. Regarding your question on how Noct will handle the situation, well, I hope this chapter provided the answer you sought. Salsus and Arkenis are currently in a bit of a tension. The former, being shaken about the 'truth' that the officer told him and the latter, secretly fearing once everything is out.... what?! AWESOME. The Army?! No way! Cool... The clearing process sounds like a load of work! But I'm pretty sure you can manage those things, right? After all, you are in the US army. Stuff like that is no biggie at all. Right? Right? O__o Hehe! Good luck in the clearing process!
Warangel88: Hmm. Really? It was in the previous chapter/s that gave you a clue about Stella's betrayal to Noctis? I didn't notice it well. But I guess its quite obvious that things would eventually lead to this point.
lovelessactII: Thank you so much for loving this story!! :) I honestly dislike (kinda) the fact that Noctis trusted Stella a bit too much. Tsk. Now look at where he's brought things... Thanks for the review!
Bmonti: Hey Bmonti! Finally! I'm so glad you made it to this point! Thanks for reading the previous (long) chapters! :D One of your speculations have been proven correct in this chapter, right Bmonti? Sure hope so. The Stella/Noctis thing would eventually work out. I think. Hehe. For all I know, they'd probably start longing for each others' presence somewhere in the future chapters... :D