A/N: Sorry this isn't as long as the previous chapter, but it's still longer than normal! So, plot twist in my daily life: finally got to see the gastroenterologist for all my eating/sleeping issues. Turns out, I have MONO! Hahaha! And my spleen and liver are enlarged. Still getting some testing done this week to make sure nothing else is wrong, but for now, it looks like a long, miserable waiting game for this virus to clear out (and I have Lupus, so my immune system is compromised, who knows how long this will take. I'm not supposed to fly, drive, handle big dogs at my vet tech job, ride amusement park rides, etc... I've already had to cancel some summer plans for May :( Here's hoping I get better before I'm supposed to go to Hershey Park!)
Chapter 23:
Inertia woke with a start.
She was sweating, but she was cold, so very cold, and she couldn't remember why she was terrified, or why she felt like she couldn't breathe, but she knew her dream had been bad.
Griseo was looking to her with concern, but made no movement from the other side of the bed.
What troubles you, Inertia?
"I… don't know," She admitted quietly. She looked to the clock by the side of the bed.
5:13am.
Today was the day before the boys left for Altissia.
The day before Lunafreya would set out for Insomnia.
She shook, shoulders uneasy, and cleared her throat.
"I'll… return shortly," She grabbed a shawl from the closet and didn't bother with anything else. She was still in her night-shorts and camisole, but if anyone cared at this hour, that was their problem, not hers.
Her slippers by the sliding door were warm and soft, though she was certain they looked out of place on her. A diplomat. Lady-in-waiting to Lunafreya Nox Fleuret.
She sighed.
She snuck out of her apartment-and-office, leaving Griseo behind — not that the fox cared very much. He yawned and nestled back into the covers for some more sleep. It was Saturday, after all - time to sleep in.
But not for her.
As she made her way out into the main hall, her dream crept back up on her, slow and sinister and deliberate. She tried to shake the cloudy memory from her mind, placing a hand on the cool railing next to the tall glass windows that overlooked the Glaive training grounds. They were empty for now — but that would change in the morning. The Glaives' training would be intensifying now that the treaty signing was upon them. Negotiations and preparations would be finalized today, but one thing was for certain, as decreed by the King himself — the Kingsglaive would be acting as his security detail, while the Crownsguard would be protecting the civilians.
It was a terrible idea.
She knew, now, that Regis had resigned himself to his fate.
But why?
Why not try to live? To see another day? To defeat the empire and rebuild Insomnia?
It was entirely possible that Niflheim would make good on their word, that the treaty would commence as planned, Noctis and Lunafreya would be married, and Regis may work with Iedolas towards a shaky, everlasting peace.
But she knew her father.
And while Iedolas was emperor, as Chancellor, her father was the puppet master pulling the strings that kept the empire, and all its imperialist endeavors, in motion.
Her dream was a memory she'd always wished to forget. And yet, no matter how hard she tried, it haunted her like a poltergeist, always a step ahead of her, waiting for her around every corner.
It was a memory of just how cruel Ardyn Izunia could be.
"Inertia, do you desire to see the rest of Eos?" He'd asked her once during training.
"Of course, father!" She'd beamed up at him through her sweat-soaked bangs, pushing the hair out of her eyes. She'd mastered the Armiger now, at the tender age of 14. She was still small and short, lithe and agile, but she was coming of age now, and the new curves she was developing made her a little more clumsy than usual. So what she lacked in dexterity now, she made up for with pure, unadulterated effort. And ever since he'd hurt her so badly after revealing to her his true relationship to her, he'd been on his best behavior, going so far as to even gain her trust. For once, she felt like she really had a family. Damn, would she regret that. "I dream of it more than anything else in the world!"
"Then pack your belongings," He made a grand gesture, as only he could, tossing aside his blade. "It's time I show you what lies beyond this dingy facility. There's a whole world out there that's yours for the taking, my dear!"
It was the first time she'd left the tundra up in northern Niflheim.
It was beautiful, the way the snow stretched out all around her, the way the white of the ice kissed the horizon, but she was thankful once they'd reached the train station for the warmth. She huddled in her parka, sidling up next to the window with some cocoa, watching with bated breath as they crossed hill and dale, the light of the sun illuminating the landscape. They passed Shiva's final resting place, too, and it sent chills up Inertia's spine. Her corpse at the bottom of the valley was beautiful, if not sad, in a way - such a beautiful, magnificent creature taken down and left to rot.
Ardyn was proud of his accomplishment, having defeated an Astral like that.
Inertia tried not to shiver when she looked at him across the compartment that they shared; this was her father's doing. Such destruction. Such chaos.
It wasn't long before they were in Gralea, and Inertia could hardly believe her eyes.
She'd never seen a city so magnificent. Even the vids didn't do it justice. The only places she'd seen rival it were Insomnia and Altissia — and those were only through Youtube videos and old movies. The skyscrapers stretched out in every direction, the blue of the sky against the glass and steel a marvelous contrast. She gaped in awe at the flying creatures that dotted the skyline - spiked, spine-d things with wings so grand they seemed to touch the sun. Airships flew lazily overhead, slow and deliberate, and streetlights dotted the corners. Ardyn had to pull her back to the curb when she tried to cross the street before the walking man appeared - she hadn't even known the "walking man" existed.
The driver who cursed at her for stepping into the street hardly even fazed her.
She was completely in awe of the city around her. The smells of freshly baked bread, the sounds of horns honking and people yelling and laughing, the taste of rust and dust in the air as they passed a construction site, the way the fountains dotted the plazas, the endlessness of it all — all of it demanded her attention.
She was in love.
"Allow me to introduce you to the Emperor," Ardyn had led her to a military fortress, all walls and metal and despair. Inertia hated it.
"Why couldn't he meet us somewhere that doesn't look like a prison?" She whined a little as they made their way inside. Zegnautus Keep, the place was called. Seat of the Empire, Ardyn informed her. The Emperor's palace of sorts, though it really seemed more of a prison to her. They passed through several floors of laboratories, and it reminded her of the facility back home, and she visibly shuddered every time they passed an MT. She was thankful by the time they reached the throne room - which was just as drab and dreary as the rest of the place. Some Seat of the Empire this was.
"Emperor Iedolas," Ardyn removed his hat and offered his leader a bow. Inertia blinked curiously, a little unsure of herself, uncertain of the proper protocol. Iedolas was an older man, though he had kind eyes, and smiled as she curtsied a little gracelessly before Niflheim's ruler.
"Ah, Chancellor," Iedolas greeted Ardyn with a warm smile, waving away the guards that stood at his side. With a nod, they made their way out of the throne room, leaving the men and the girl alone. "This must be Inertia."
"Indeed, Your Majesty," Ardyn replied, placing a hand on her shoulder. She tried to offer a smile; she hoped it didn't look forced.
"It's an honor to meet you, Emperor Iedolas," Inertia tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, trying not to dance nervously from foot to foot. She felt itchy under his stare; he was royalty, after all. Her father's place in the hierarchy didn't mean a whole lot when she was at a science facility her whole life. Not until now did she really feel the power and influence he wielded. And it was intimidating.
"Ah, the pleasure is mine, Miss Izunia," Iedolas stepped off his throne, taking her hand in his own and kissing it. She tried not to shiver; his lips were cold as ice. "I hear you've become quite the martial prospect in your young life."
"Words do her no justice," Ardyn beamed down at her, proud of her accomplishments. "In time, she may surpass even myself."
The two men shared a laugh when a third young man entered the room.
"Pardon the intrusion, father," He offered apologetically. Inertia gaped. He was handsome. She guessed he was around 20 or so - damn her young age of 14 - and he had a shock of brown hair and blue eyes that matched the Emperor's own. He was tall, and broad-shouldered, and bore a thick, bushy beard, and he was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. She had been wholly deprived of men back at the facility - her interactions with people were limited to MTs, older scientists, and the female doctors (veterinarians, really) who worked on the animals that sustained injuries during experiments. They allowed her to volunteer there in her spare time, and she absorbed everything like a sponge - they'd even allowed her to place catheters and administer anesthesia. It was the one thing she'd come to enjoy during her teenage years, and got her out of her stuffy, dingy, boring old room.
Her contact with boys was non-existent, really.
"Ah!" Iedolas's eyes lit up, and he beamed at the young man. "Please, Iunius, come forward. Chancellor Izunia, this is my son, Iunius Aldercapt."
"A pleasure to meet you, young man," Ardyn offered him a hand, and the emperor's son offered the Chancellor the most brilliant smile Inertia had ever seen.
"The pleasure is mine, Chancellor," Iunius grinned kindly at him. "I've heard only the best from my father."
"And I you," Ardyn nodded in acknowledgement. "Your father tells me you've mastered the pole-arm?"
"'Mastered' is an awfully extravagant term," Iunius laughed.
"Imagine. My son; a dragoon!" Iedolas laughed.
"Yes, I remember back in your day you were something of a swordsman yourself, Iedolas?" Ardyn remarked casually. What, had he been there or something? He seemed pretty young compared to the emperor — Inertia couldn't help but let her mind wander.
"Indeed," Iedolas agreed. "But he's a natural with it. He rivals the Highwind family's talents, without a doubt."
"Father, you do me too much credit," Iunius laughed. "And who is this?" He looked to Inertia then, and she felt her heart catch in her throat. She tried to swallow it, so she could speak and introduce herself, but her voice wouldn't come out.
"This is my daughter, Inertia," Ardyn introduced her proudly. "She's something of an able-bodied soldier herself. "
"Is that so?" Iunius offered her his hand, and she gulped, taking it. It was so much bigger than her own; and he was so much taller than her, too. She tried not to stutter, but his eyes had frozen her in place.
"I… guess," She managed meekly. "Sort of. I just swing my blade around, mostly." That elicited a laugh from the men in the room.
"Well, it certainly seems you're good at it," Iunius winked at her, saluting his father. "But, father, I've brought news of the garrison stationed at the North Gate. It seems the daemons have pushed them back a ways."
Iedolas cursed under his breath.
"Then we increase the power supply to the North Gate," He replied with a nod. "The light will drive them away long enough for us to replenish our forces with MTs. Honestly, Ardyn, if you hadn't brought us the schematics for such an unlimited force of soldiers we'd be up to our necks in daemons by now."
Ardyn laughed and offered the emperor a nod. But Iunius was speaking again before Ardyn could.
"That's the thing, father…" Iunius rubbed the back of his neck. "The daemons have grown intelligent. It seems the power has been cut to the gate. With the damages done to the generators, it may take upwards of three days for crews to service the area and restore power."
"You're kidding," Iedolas fell into his throne, suddenly exhausted.
Inertia was lost.
Daemons? Here? In Gralea? She knew of their existence, relatively speaking, but she didn't know much else. Why were daemons plaguing the Seat of the Empire? How had this happened?
"I was hoping you'd grant me permission to deploy with some of my men to the area," Iunius informed him sincerely. "I wanted to help with the efforts in forcing them back until power can be restored. I know we're low on resources right now…" He cleared his throat. "But we have to try."
Iedolas was quiet for a moment, and Ardyn nodded to Inertia to allow the two men their discourse. With a nod, he rose from his throne.
"As you will, soldier," Iedolas clapped a hand on Iunius's back. His son was so much larger than him, the emperor almost looked decrepit. "Protect our city until we get power restored. See to it the garrison gets home."
"Of course, father," Iunius bowed, and nodded to Ardyn and Inertia as he took his leave. "It was very nice to meet you, Your Grace. And milady." And with that, he was gone.
She couldn't stop thinking about him the rest of the day. The color of his eyes, the breadth of his shoulders, his concern for his people. She worried a little for his safety - she'd never encountered daemons before. Would he and his men be alright? Would their garrison survive until repairs could be made? And what did they mean the daemons were "intelligent" now? She had so many questions, and Ardyn offered her no answers.
"Stop worrying your little head, my dear," He told her as they left the Keep. "We're here on vacation. We're supposed to be having fun."
He took her to a beautiful restaurant at the top of an observatory that spun to offer a 360 view of the city — they enjoyed a delectable dinner of Gralean lasagna and cherrycomb trout, caesar salad and Garula tenderloin, all the foods she could think, she got to try. She watched as night fell over the city, and lights lit up the buildings and streets below. She marveled at it, even sipping some wine her father offered her.
It was foul, and she hated it.
They wandered the streets together for awhile, enjoying the sights and sounds, partaking in some street performances by artists who could do things Inertia had never even dreamed of. He took her to her first ever live theater performance - a musical - and she adored it. It made her laugh, and cry, and she was singing as she left the venue. She had never really tried it before, the whole singing thing, but she had a knack for it, apparently - passersby gathered to listen to her, fawning over her, and she shied away from the attention. Ardyn, however, ate it up.
"Yes, she truly is a gem, isn't she?" He gushed.
"She has an angelic voice, like the Oracle!" One man praised her. "Is she a member of the Nox Fleuret family?" She raised an eyebrow, looking to her father.
"What does he mean by that?" She asked curiously. She knew of the Oracle, but not who the Nox Fleuret family was. Not yet, anyway.
"Nothing, my pet," And he pulled her away from the crowd a little more forcefully than he should have. She wouldn't find out until later that the gift of the Voice was something she and Lunafreya shared - it was part of their gifts as healers and representatives of the divine (not that the Gods ever acknowledged her presence)…
"Have you been enjoying yourself, my dear?" He asked as they continued on their way.
"This has been the greatest day of my life," Inertia answered seriously, swinging herself around a light pole, stars in her eyes. "Thank you so much!" She stopped spinning, pausing. "Where are we staying tonight, father?"
"I dare not ruin the surprise," He winked at her, and the two continued on their way. She didn't think anything of it as the lights faded, the crowds thinning, the noise dying down a little, until it was too late.
"Um…father, where are we…"
She already knew the answer before she finished the question when she laid eyes on Iunius Aldercapt, amongst many other brave men, fighting abominations a few blocks away the likes of which she'd never seen.
There were spiders, and humanoid things, and orbs that floated through the air, and even a giant, all of which were twisted images of things her imagination could conjure up, and it disturbed her, so greatly in fact, that she was frozen in place.
"What is it, my dear?" Ardyn asked. His entire demeanor had changed — he was grinning ghoulishly now, and everything about his tone was sinister. "Cat got your tongue?"
"Why… why have you brought me here?" She faltered, tears in her eyes. She watched, helplessly, as the garrison fought against the daemons, horrified as one man was gouged through the chest by the blade of the giant.
"To fulfill your true calling!" He made another grand gesture - so typical of the bastard. "So you understand that you and I aren't like the rest of these ants that parade around Eos, so involved in their daily lives they hardly realize they don't matter at all!"
"What do you mean?" She was weeping as she watched another soldier cut down, his insides on the outside, red pooling in the nearest puddle. "How can you say they don't matter?"
"This is the work of the Starscourge, my dear," Ardyn grabbed her by the shoulders, forcing her to watch as the soldiers fought in vain against the encroaching daemons. They just kept coming - there was no light anywhere to stop their advance. She gasped in horror as one of the men was ripped in two. "And you and I are immune."
"So what?" She tore herself away from him, conjuring up her Swords of the Wanderer. "I don't give a shit if I'm immune! That won't help them!"
"And who said I want to help them?" His smirk was foul, his demeanor ulterior. "Who do you think it was who destroyed the power supply, my pet?"
"But why!?" She fell to her knees, crying as she watched Iunius struggle against one of the daemons, one that held a blade like a samurai. His lance was locked in its grasp, and he was unable to move. "Why would you do this?! To your own people?"
She felt herself being lifted by her collar, choking her. She grabbed at her shirt, struggling to breathe. Ardyn held her, dangling in the air, in view of the carnage at the North Gate, laughing
"These aren't my people," He hissed. He dropped her then, and she barely touched the ground, taking off at a run towards the daemons that were killing the men who lay down their lives for those in the city. She could deal with her twisted father later - in that instant, the men, the soldiers dying, needed her more than she needed to deal with this pathetic excuse for a man.
She ran forward, unleashing her blades on the samurai daemon that had Iunius pinned against a barricade. She cleaved the arm that held the sword, and the thing cried out in pain, a harsh energy unleashing from its body as she did so. She fell back, and so did Iunius, who looked to her in confusion. Sweat poured from his brow - but he seemed relatively unharmed.
"Inertia?" He asked in surprise. She nodded, winded, unable to speak. The two forced themselves back on their feet, readying their weapons against the coming horde.
Somehow, they survived the onslaught, all to the tune of Ardyn's laughter in her head, although the rest of the garrison didn't. Nor did the rest of Iunius's men. As the giant fell, Iunius placed a hand on her shoulder, dropping his lance.
"I can't thank you enough for coming to my aid," He thanked her sincerely. She clutched at her throat, a lump forming there.
"I…. I couldn't save your men…" She felt the tears sting her eyes, but Iunius shook his head.
"You saved me," He insisted. "As sole heir to the throne of Niflheim, that's world-shaking for the empire. Not that I matter any more than the lives of those that were stolen…" He frowned, shaking his head. "But at least this way, I can see to it my father knows what happened here. That we need reinforcements - the daemons grow stronger with each passing day."
"How sweet a sentiment," She heard him before she saw him, and she screamed as his hand pierced Iunius's chest.
"FATHER, NO!" She wailed, reaching for him to wrench him out of Iunius's chest cavity. Before she could get her hands on him, a huge pulse of energy threw her from her feet, tossing her to the ground. She watched in horror as Iunius's face twisted, first in agony, then in grotesque hideousness. Speechless, she witnessed her father, Ardyn Izunia, infect the only heir to the throne with the Starscourge. It was dark, and ugly, and seeped from every pore of Ardyn's body, and now, it was creeping into Iunius Aldercapt, sole heir to the throne of Niflheim.
"You see, Inertia," Ardyn lectured her as his own face twisted, a wry smile painted upon his evolving features. "We are immune to the Starscourge, and we can heal it. But I — I harbor it within me." Iunius's form writhed and shook as his body became overcame with the daemonic infection, and his features grew into gnarled, old reflections of themselves. He sprouted appendages where there should be none, and he grew before her eyes, his size intimidating and surreal. Only when he had satisfactorily become a monstrosity did Ardyn release his hold on the young man, who was no longer a young man, but some… THING from her nightmares.
"NO!" She rushed forward, clutching Iunius's giant, disfigured hand in her own. "Come back to me, Iunius!" Light emanated from her palms and glowed around his claws, enveloping him in a divine embrace. She had never done this before — why now? Could she truly heal the Starscourge?
But the thing roared in agony, tearing its enormous talons from her grasp, and backhanded her across the face. She fell to the ground with a cry, forcing her teeth through her lip as her face hit the pavement.
"Do you see, Inertia?" Ardyn laughed, standing above her. "These mortals are weak. They are so easily turned into monsters… And to think, I once thought them worthy of protection. Alas, they are worthless. Stand and fight, girl! This is what I've been training you for!"
"To slay daemons?" She cried, pushing herself up from the gravel. She looked towards what was left of Iunius, the thing grunting and growling and wiping the slobber from its massive chin. He had horns now — and gnarled features on a face once so handsome.
"No, my dear," Ardyn's laugh was rueful and full of disdain. "To kill."
"What am I to you!?" She screamed, pushing herself onto her feet. "You grew me in a laboratory! You've trained me all my life! And for what! As some kind of science experiment!?"
"My dear, sweet, Inertia…" Ardyn put a hand on her face then, rubbing the blood from her lip with his thumb. "You were engineered to be the perfect assassin. A legacy, indeed." He shoved her forward then and to her knees, in offering to the daemon Iunius had become. "Come, Iunius Aldercapt! Come and claim her as your own!" He knelt down to murmur in her ear. "Fight back if you wish to live, my dear."
The thing Iunius was now - no longer him, by any standards - charged forward toward her, and she rolled out of its way on instinct.
"I don't want to fight you!" She was crying, blood pouring down her face from her wounded mouth, knees scabbed from having fallen to the ground so many times. Iunius, whatever was left of him, didn't listen. Instead, it came for her again, charging at her with horns forward, claws at the ready.
She rolled out of its way again, pushing herself to her feet. She had conjured up the Swords of the Wanderer again, wiping the blood from her face with the back of her hand.
"Please, don't make me do this, iunius…" She murmured.
It came for her again.
With a ululation so inhuman she wondered if maybe she had caught the Starscourge, she spun out of its path, brandishing her blades. She rushed him, taking him out at the knees, decapitating one leg from under him. It screamed in pain, falling to its side. Pulling itself forward, it dragged itself toward her, slashing at her with a heavy, clawed hand. It grazed her cheek, ripping skin from flesh, and she could see from the corner of her eye the bubbling of the Scourge on her face. But in moments it dissipated, disintegrating into the air.
"You see, my girl?" Ardyn cried out in amusement from somewhere - she could no longer see him. She could only see the daemon on the ground before her, in agony, but bloodthirsty, with no intention of giving up the chase for her. "You've got the immunity to the Scourge, like your old man!"
"Shut UP!" She cried. She slashed with her swords again, cleaving into the beast's chest and neck. Iunius cried out, shrieking in pain where her swords had pierced his flesh. He roared in anger, striking for her again. He pushed himself onto all fours - well, three legs, since she'd removed one - and tried to charge at her again. But she was resigned to her fate, now. She couldn't get close enough to heal him. And he was intent on killing her.
She would kill him first.
Before he could charge her another time, she had raced forward and forced a blade through his eye and to the back of his skull, her other blade slashing his throat.
With a final scream of agony, he fell, the handsome heir of Niflheim no longer the sole heir to the throne.
She heaved for breath, releasing her hold on her blades, crying as she fell to her knees in front of Iunius's corpse. She could see a little of him left in that hideous face; this was Ardyn's doing. All of it.
"Jolly good show, Inertia," Ardyn was clapping, standing above her again. "As I said, you're a tiny, little killing machine. Just perfect for my intentions."
"And what intentions are those?" She asked, calm, cool, and collected. She had hardened herself to his cruelty now - and she had no intention of sticking around.
"To take the Crystal back from Insomnia, of course," He explained to her. He knelt beside her, a hand on her back. "As I am, I cannot handle it myself. I needed Iedolas to do it for me. But he is a kind man…" He looked down, clicking his tongue at what was left of Iunius. "I needed his son disposed of to bring out the cruelty in him. To want to invade Insomnia. To want the Crystal. Don't you see, my pet?" He brushed the hair back from her face. "There were no witnesses here tonight. This was just some… tragic accident. The daemons overran Iunius and his men and the garrison stationed here." He looked out, eyes twinkling with excitement. "Now Gralea will be exposed to the Starscourge, and its people will be turned to daemons, and we will have the army we need."
"Yes, Ardyn," She nodded, her soul empty as she looked upon the face of the man she had just killed. The first man she would ever kill. "Whatever you say."
She shivered at the railing. She could remember the night so perfectly, with such clarity, she thought she'd never escape the memory.
Gralea would, in fact, fall to the Starscourge. The North Gate, having fallen to the daemons would unleash into the city, slowly but surely, the daemons and the Scourge alike. What few people were left were akin to the Hunters here in Lucis — they holed up in strongholds made to withstand the daemons, basked in light from the little power that remained in the city. All the rest had been infected, and been twisted into horrible, disgusting creatures after countless hours of suffering. Ardyn's ability to unleash the Scourge at will was unique in how fast it damned the afflicted - the infection that plagued Eos was a lot slower than that. And, in turn, a lot more torturous. It had been a blessing in disguise, almost, that Iunius had turned so quickly — he hadn't had to suffer what most of the people of Gralea had.
But here in Insomnia, the King, his attendants, Noctis and his friends — they didn't know that Niflheim was an absolute ghost of an empire. That part of the reason Iedolas had even agreed to Ardyn's ministrations of imperialism was to renew the populous that had been devastated by the Starscourge. That Niflheim's military might had been achieved through the demonization of its people — that the countries and lands it enveloped into its cold embrace were actually the only populations left to the Empire itself.
No one knew that Gralea was a graveyard of souls damned by Ardyn's thirst for power and lust for revenge.
She didn't know why he wanted the Crystal. After they returned from Gralea, she had orchestrated her escape in mere days. He had only mentioned something to her about being wronged by the Astrals — and she wondered if maybe that was why the man never seemed to age. Was he really something beyond mortal?
She could hear the birds chirping in greeting of dawn, and she closed her eyes. The day before Noctis and his friends would leave for Altissia.
The date hadn't been decided precisely, not yet, but it appeared as though the treaty signing would be that Monday.
Two days.
Two days before Niflheim would "make peace" with Insomnia.
Bullfuckingshit.
She knew her father, and she knew Iedolas's thirst for revenge after the untimely death of his son. While he believed it to be at the hands of daemons, he also knew the Ring of the Lucii and the Crystal could ward off daemons and keep them at bay.
He was waging a one man war against the Scourge in the name of his only child, but he was entirely unaware that Ardyn had planned it this way all along.
She didn't care what Regis said. What the attendants and diplomats said. What Lunafreya said.
She knew this facade of peace would soon turn into a bloodbath.
She had tried to instill what defenses and security measures she could, but Regis had been dealt a losing hand, and they both knew it. The might of Niflheim's army — considering it used the very daemons it vowed to destroy — was too great for Insomnia. Regis's health was failing, he had maintained the Wall for so long, and he was powerless to defend his people in any better fashion. And Noctis wasn't ready to take that mantle. Not yet.
Plus, he and Luna were "to be wed."
That was bullshit, too.
Ardyn had orchestrated that, too. It seemed to be a symbol of peace - a marriage between the Prince of the one land independent of Niflheim's might to a member of royalty who fell under the Empire's jurisdiction. It was too perfect.
But he was angry that she had been taken into Luna's protection.
He was angry that Luna's ability as Oracle had kept the Scourge at bay.
He was angry at everyone, and everything, and none of them were safe.
Not one of them.
She had to do what she could today to facilitate the evacuation of Insomnia's people before it was too late.
They were to be in meetings all day in just a few hours. If she willed it enough, perhaps she could save more than would be hurt in the crossfire.
"Good morning, Lady Inertia."
She nearly jumped out of her skin when she opened her eyes to find Cor Leonis at her side.
"Don't sneak up on me like that," She laughed, pulling her shawl around her shoulders. She wondered; did Cor know? Had Regis told one of his most trusted friends that he never intended for peace between their two nations? That he merely wished to buy Noctis time to get away, to secure their future?
"My apologies," He grunted, leaning on the railing beside her. "Looks like it's gonna be a beautiful day."
"Certainly seems so," She smiled. "The birds are already awake and greeting the day."
"Birds always wake up before anyone," He remarked, rubbing his chin. "What are you doing up so early?"
"Couldn't sleep," She admitted, looking out over the training grounds. He followed her gaze, and she could feel his unease.
"Lady Inertia…" He began, clearing his throat. "It seems to me we're approaching an incoming shit storm."
She blinked at his brash honesty.
She hesitated before she answered.
"…So it would seem," She agreed, releasing her death grip on her shawl. She leaned on the railing as well, a little uncertain what else to say.
"I've been given orders to watch over the people of Insomnia, along with the Crownsguard," He commented. She nodded.
"I know," She sighed. "I was there when King Regis made the decision."
"So you must know today I cannot partake in the meetings," Cor sighed himself, shoulders heavy. "So I must rely on you to change His Majesty's mind."
"Change his mind?" She wondered, a little confused. "About what?"
"About my station," He stated plainly. "I've been at my King's side since I was 15 years old. That's not a streak I intend to break just because the Empire is knocking on our door."
"And what would you do with the people of Insomnia?" She wondered aloud.
"Evacuate them," He remarked.
"As would I," She agreed. "But they need a leader to evacuate them."
"There are others just as capable as myself," He scoffed, bitter.
"I don't believe there are, Marshal," She touched his arm, offering him comfort. Only the slightest bit of easing his mind did she release through her fingertips — he didn't seem to notice. Good. "King Regis knows this. He knows you're the best humanity has to offer. You can best honor your King by upholding his wishes, and seeing his people to safety should the need arise."
"And do you think the need will arise?" Cor asked gently. She paused.
"I do," She said sadly. "Would that it weren't the case, but I don't believe there's anything benevolent left in Niflheim."
"Then you do your best today to convince my King that he should also have an escape route planned," Cor rose, straightening his shoulders. "This kingdom needs Regis, though he may not think so."
"I'll…try," She promised him. He nodded, and continued on his way. She bit her lip, remembering the time her teeth had gone right through it, the time she'd first killed a man.
How would she convince Regis Lucis Caelum to run away from a fight, rather than face it head on like the noble King he was?
"Let's take a fifteen minute recess," Urentus knocked his gavel against the stone of the table, jarring everyone from their thoughts.
They'd been at each's other's throats for some time in regards to the security detail that would be granted the King. While he was adamant the Kingsglaive would be sufficient, and that the Crownsguard should protect the people, led by Cor Leonis, Clarus had butted heads with his friend in quite an aggressive way. While he had eventually ceded to the King's wishes, and agreed to carry out his orders, now the attendants were all arguing over who should actually be at the treaty signing. Now that Lady Lunafreya was coming to Insomnia, it may look good for the peace for her and Inertia to be at Regis's side — but Inertia couldn't support that decision in any way. She couldn't bear it if she were to lose Regis and Luna in one fell swoop.
She had offered she act in Luna's stead, as diplomat of Tenebrae, while Luna remained outside, meeting the people as their Oracle.
She'd about had her head ripped off by one of the attendants in the meeting. Some gentleman named Bribus, she believed.
And so Urentus had called for a recess as things continued on in tension and anger.
As everyone filed out of the Hall, Clarus remained behind to stay at Regis's side, who was too weak to rise from his seat at the table for a measly fifteen minutes.
And so she figured now was the greatest opportunity she had to hold Regis's attention.
"Your Majesty?" She inquired, stepping forward. He looked up from Clarus, who had been absentmindedly chatting to him about something or another, and smiled when he saw it was her.
"Ah, Lady Inertia," He greeted her warmly. "I have it on good authority you've been colluding with my son."
Shit. That was definitely not what she expected.
"Well… he did come to my office, Your Majesty," She let the smirk show on her face. Perhaps if she didn't show fear, he wouldn't scold her as badly. She knew she was meant to stay away from the Crown Prince - perhaps the King would be forgiving, as he had been in the past with Barrick?
"Good," Regis nodded to himself, shuffling the papers in front of him. "He needs you, now more than ever."
Come the fuck again?
"I… excuse me, my King?" She asked in disbelief.
"You're a good influence," Regis smiled at her. "You're a strong woman. Wise beyond your years. Noctis will need someone like you to guide him when the time comes for him to be King."
"I… thank you, Your Grace," She faltered in shock. "Wait. When the time comes for him to be King?"
Clarus opened his mouth to protest, but Regis raised a hand to silence him.
"Come now, Clarus, it's certainly not a secret to Inertia Izunia," Regis chastised his friend. "Is it, Inertia?"
She paused, and let her face fall.
"No, it isn't," She admitted, defeated. She took the seat beside him, suddenly exhausted.
"I had asked you to avoid my son so that I might protect him from the truth…" Regis struggled to speak, suddenly choked up. "But the time approaches where I cannot protect him any longer." She opened her mouth to speak, but Regis silenced her. "And so I ask that you guide him, now, as only you can."
"And, why do you ask this of me, Your Majesty?" She inquired seriously. "And not, say, Lady Lunafreya?"
He had opened his mouth to speak once more, but Urentus rushed in hurriedly, interrupting the three of them.
"My apologies, Lady Inertia," Urentus bowed. "But there's someone here to see you. It's urgent."
She cursed under her breath, apologizing profusely to her King, hoping against hope they might finish this conversation as they were meant to. She hurried out into the Lobby, only to find Ignis waiting patiently outside the doors.
"I… Ignis," She sighed, a little frustrated. She was always happy to see him - more happy than she cared to admit - but now was the most inconvenient time she could have imagined possible. She and Regis had been skirting something, something she didn't understand, the entire time she'd been here in Insomnia. And she needed answers, if for no other reason than to guide his son the way he'd asked.
"Inertia," He smiled when he saw her. "It's good to see you."
"What are you doing here?" She wondered, checking the time on her phone. "It's the middle of the afternoon."
"I was called back by my uncle," He explained. "I had been helping Noct pack for the journey."
"And why did Urentus call you back?" She wondered, a little suspicious. "When did he even call you back? We've been deadlocked for hours now."
"He snuck out to call me, I believe," Ignis explained. "He informed me that the King won't be able to see Noct today, given how long you've been in negotiations."
"That's probably true," She admitted. "I'm sure Noctis wanted to see his father."
"That's an understatement," Ignis admitted, his face a little sad. "I did, too."
"I didn't realize you and His Majesty were so close," Inertia murmured gently.
"it was his idea to take me in after my parents passed," Ignis explained casually. Like it didn't actually hurt him the way she could see it did in his expression. "Not my uncle's."
"I'm sorry," Inertia touched his arm, sincere. He blinked, a little taken aback by the gesture. "But I have no doubt King Regis cares for you, too."
"I appreciate that, Inertia," Ignis smiled down at her. "I admit, I'm also here to pilfer information from you."
"Oh?" She laughed. "And what information is that?"
"Drautos informed me that the date of the signing is still to be determined," Ignis explained, rubbing the back of his neck. "He didn't seem very enthused by all the preparations… is everything still going according to plan?"
She knew he was really asking if he could leave Insomnia behind and not have it turn to rubble before he came back.
She didn't have an answer for him. Not really.
"Best as can be expected," She offered him a sad smile. "This hasn't been easy on anyone. Least of all the King."
"I'm sure," He agreed with a nod. "He's a very strong man. And he's stuck between a rock and a hard place, as they say."
"Very colloquial of you," She laughed at his turn of phrase. "But yes. We're all doing the best we can, given the circumstances."
Suddenly, the bell was ringing; the one that meant recess was over.
"I apologize, but I have to get back to things," She rolled her eyes. "If I don't return, who else with Bribus verbally assault?"
Ignis laughed.
"Glad to see Bribus hasn't changed," He crossed his arms. "Take care."
"You too," She offered a small wave.
"Perhaps I'll see you tomorrow, before we leave," He suggested sheepishly before the door closed behind her.
"I'd like that!" She called back.
Of course Regis was too tired to speak with her after their meeting finally adjourned.
She didn't blame him. He was constantly expending energy sustaining the Wall and the Crystal, and also dealing with all the nitwits he had for attendants.
That would wipe her out too.
With a smile and a wave, she said farewell to Clarus and Regis as the former led the latter out by the arm, helping keep him on his feet from exhaustion. Exhausted herself, she grabbed her folders and her bag and saw herself out of the Hall, returning to the ground floor of the Citadel so she might return to her chambers and get something to eat. It was dark out already - preparations had taken longer than even she anticipated today.
She made her way to the elevator, waiting patiently for the last stop - the first floor. She wondered idly if Griseo had eaten today, or if he was waiting for her to make them both a gourmet meal again. She laughed lightly at the thought of it, smiling as she passed the acquaintances she'd made here in the Citadel as she hurried back to her quarters.
It was funny to think that, just three months prior, she'd been a stranger here.
She almost didn't miss Fenestala Manor.
Almost.
She missed Lady Lunafreya something fierce, though.
She was beyond excited to see her and Gentiana again, as well as Umbra and Pryna. Then, maybe the Citadel might finally feel like home.
But she was interrupted when she was unlocking her apartment by someone throwing a hand over her mouth and ripping her away from her door. She tried to scream, but it was a strong wrist that held her still and quiet, and she gasped when her assailant released her once they'd forced her out into the now empty training grounds and she got a look at his face.
"We need to talk."