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jiminthestreets-bonesinthesheets · 3 years

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Final Fantasy: At Lucis End - CH 3

Fandom: Final Fantasy XV, Final Fantasy

Rating: Mature

Pairing: Noctis Lucis Caelum/Original Female Character(s)

AO3

Masterlist

Summary:

A treaty. A light at the end of the tunnel that King Regis had been staring down for years. A proposal. A wedding that stands to save the lands. A betrayal. That could tear it all down. And a love. So strong yet so torn.

The war between Lucis and Niflheim could come to an end, but much will have to be sacrificed along the way. And in the end, would it even be enough? Would the loss of life, love, and family be enough to save the people of Lucis? Or will it all come crumbling down in the end?

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 3

“What did you do to her?!”

Noctis was standing off to the side of the Regalia at the rest stop, Ignis filling up the car while Gladio and Ara remained inside, and Prompto paced circles around him while he yelled.

“She won't talk to me, she won't look at me,” he named off as he counted on his hands, then flailed them wildly as he came to stop in front of him, “and I asked her three times to play Dungeons and Daemons with me, and everytime she said no. She always plays Dungeons and Daemons with me! What did you do?! You broke her!"

Noct crossed his arms over his chest and brought a hand up to pinch his nose, “It's… Nothing, I did nothing.”

“Obviously something,” he raised his brows, “this is not her, she's not like this, I've never seen her like this. Are you guys fighting? You never fight, is that it?”

“I…” he waved a hand, “Yeah, I guess so, kind of, not that it's my choice.”

“Why? What are you fighting about?”

“We-”

“This is ridiculous,” Prompto shook his head, “I mean, you guys don't fight, you just don't, so why can't you just get over whatever it is and move on already-”

“We’re fighting over the wedding!” Prompto stopped dead, completely frozen, staring at Noctis with wide eyes. “This stupid wedding is what's driven a wedge between us. That's why she's mad."

"Well… why?"

Noctis sighed, running his hand over his face before deciding it was best to just give in. "She doesn't want me to get married."

"... Why not?"

"Because she loves me."

"Oh…" He took a second then looked up to Noctis with impossibly wider eyes, "Oh!"

"And I love her too," Noctis nodded, waiting to see how his friend would react.

"So," he began, walking a bit closer, "were you two together before this?"

"No," he shook his head with a solemn look, "we should have been, but we were both too stupid to say anything, and now we're damned to be seperated forever."

"Why didn't you just say no?"

"To my father?" Noctis asked, dumbfounded, and Promoto nodded, "Say no to the King when he says our only option for peace is my marriage? I don't think so, Prom."

"Did you tell your father about Ara?" He tried, "About how you two feel about each other? He loves Ara like family, we all do, surely he would at least try to find a better way if you told him that you two wanted to get married instead. That is what you're telling me right? That you want to marry Ara and not Lunafreya?"

"I don't want anyone else, Prom," he closed his eyes then opened them to look over at the Regalia. Ara was still inside, still sitting in the back turned towards the side of the car. Noct couldn't see her face too clearly from where he was standing, but from what he could see it looked as if she were wiping a stray tear from her cheek as he turned back to Prompto. "But between my father's orders and her not wanting me to go against this treaty, I don't have many other options."

"So you two talked about this then," he too turned to look at her, then back to Noctis.

"Yes, and she doesn't want to go against my father's decision. She doesn't want to break the treaty apart so that we can be together," he rubbed his forehead, trying to stave off the headache he could feel coming, "she doesn't think that Iedolas would negotiate any other terms and she won't risk the continuation of the war. She thinks that my marrying the princess is what's best for the people of Lucis."

"Do you think there could be another way? Is she right about Iedolas?"

"I…" he sighed, "I want her to be wrong, but I don't know. Iedolas has all the power in this situation, he's got Lucis on it's last ropes, the old walls and new are going to fall and my father is not getting any better. Every day that he pulls magic from the crystal to keep the people safe, it drains his life more and more. Eventually it will drain him completely and then we will have no defence against Niflheim’s troops. Iedolas knows this, and knows that now is the time to make his demands, and he has. He knows my father is too weak to fight back, too tired to find another way because there isn't one. I don't know what else we could do."

"Have you talked to Ignis and Gladiolus?" He gestured towards the car, "They're close to your father, maybe they can talk to him."

"They won't try to change his mind," he shook his head, "at least not until they have solid proof of sabotage on Niflheim’s behalf or a way that won't end in war. But I'm afraid they won't be able to find either of those things before the wedding. We don't have much time here, Prom!"

"Okay," he raised his arms to try and calm Noctis, landing them on his shoulders with a squeeze, "okay, don't panic. I'm sure we can come up with something, or even a way to delay the wedding until we can. I'll talk to Ignis and Gladiolus and see where I can help."

"Thanks, Prom," Noctis sighed in relief, giving him a small smile, "thank you."

"I've always got your back, Noct."

"Noctis, Prompto!" Both boys turned at the sound of Gladio’s booming voice. "Get your butts in the car, we're leaving now."

They both nodded and walked together back to the Regalia, Prom’s arm around Noctis’s shoulders, and jumped back in.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Every second they were in the car was a second closer to Niflheim, to Noct’s wedding, to her last moments as a citizen of Lucis. And despite her conversation with Nyx before she left, she still couldn't shake the cloud that hung low over her head. She couldn't even look at Noctis let alone attempt to live in the moment, to be happy with Noctis while she had the chance and pretend to live in a world where she wasn't driving closer and closer to losing him for good.

And now it was nearing the end of their first day, already. They had pulled into Hammerhead not too long ago, and were now waiting as Ignis set up a motel room for the five of them. And still, no one had said a word since they left Insomnia.

"I've got us a room," Ignis announced as he walked back over to the car, "only one room for the five of us, but there's a pull out, you can have that if you'd like, Ara."

She just nodded her head and jumped out of the car, grabbing her bag from the back and passing Ignis.

The others followed slowly behind her, entering the room as she turned right back around and left again.

"Where are you going?" Gladio turned with his arms out in question.

"Take Noctis inside, I'm going on a patrol run," she answered, back turned as she pulled out her apocalypse blade, "I won't be long."

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Should someone maybe go after her?"

Promoto was now sitting on the edge of the bed, watching as Noctis silently paced by the door, occasionally looking out the window. Ara had been gone for hours. What was supposed to be a quick patrol had turned into almost three hours of Noctis about ready to barge out and go looking for her himself.

"She's fine, Prompto," Gladio spoke from where he was lounged back on the other bed. Shirt off, track pants on, and looking like he could pass out at any second, "she's a big girl, she can handle herself."

"But she's been gone for a while," Prompto tried again, "maybe I should just go out and make sure she's okay."

"What could possibly harm her in Hammerhead," Gladio answered, "She's fine. She can handle herself."

"She probably just needed some air," Ignis gave Prompto a look and he just nodded back, dropping the subject.

A few moments of silence passed between them all, before Noctis looked out the window once more then hastily moved towards the door. "I'm going after her."

"You most certainly are not."

"I can handle myself just as well as she can, Ignis, I'm not leaving her out there alone in the dark."

Ignis side stepped to block Noctis from the door, earning himself a deep glare. "If it means that much to you, I'll go look for her."

"No, I'll go," Gladio stood from the bed, stretching and reaching for his discarded shirt, "even though I know she's fine."

Noctis thought about it for a second, then resigned with a nod and stepped back to let Gladio leave. Just as he put on his shirt and was about to summon his blade, the front door opened, and Ara walked in.

"What's going on?" She asked as she looked around cautiously.

"Where were you?" Noctis asked, practically rushing at her, but she leaned back, shocking him to a stop.

"I told you, I went on patrol."

"I take it everything was fine?" Ignis asked, trying to diffuse the very obvious tension in the room.

"Fine, the town's quiet."

"So why were you gone so long then?" Noctis braved another step closer to her, and though she didn't recoil this time he could tell she was fighting it. "I was worried about you."

"You don't need to worry about me, Prince Noctis, I am here to worry about you."

Even Ignis scrunched his nose at the use of formalities from her. Though before it could be addressed any further, her phone rang and she excused herself.

"It's Nyx," she said, pulling the phone out of her pocket, "I'll take this outside."

She left the four boys behind without even a second glance back. She knew she was hurting Noctis, but if that was what could put some distance between them, then it would have to be done.

She pushed the thought out of her head for now, sitting in the chair outside the room, and answered her phone.

"Hey."

"Hey, baby girl, are you safe?"

She smiled at the sound of his voice, just hearing it was the comfort she needed right now. "Yeah we're safe. We're in Hammerhead, staying here for the night."

"That's a fairly quiet town," he agreed, she could hear the relief in his voice, "did you patrol?"

"All quiet on the front," she sighed as a silence fell over them, then she risked a curious, "Did… did you talk to Regis?"

"This morning after you left," he hummed, "he's not too keen on this treaty either. Something's up, we all know it and so does he, but he's right in the fact that Iedolas holds the power right now, and we have to let him keep it. Until we can figure out Niflheim’s next move, we have to just keep playing along, or else we could be back at war before we're ready."

"I should come back," she stated firmly, "if something goes wrong and war hits Insomnia again, I should be there."

"No, you have to stay with Noctis."

"Noctis is fine, and he has three other fully capable fighters by his side should something happen all the way out here," she nodded to herself, "I'm coming back."

"Ara, you are staying with Noctis." She could tell he was using his 'dad' voice now, firm and final, so she sat back in her chair. "Keep to the plan, stay with Noctis."

"But I'm one of Lucis' best fighters. Wouldn't it make more sense to have me closer to the fight?"

"Ara-"

"Don't think I don't know what you're doing," she cut him off, and he waited for her to continue, "if Insomnia and Niflheim do go back to war, it will be to the end this time. There will be no drawing it out for years like before. Both sides will throw everything they have at the other and someone will come out victorious. And you want me as far away from that as possible, which is why you're happy that Regis sent me with Noctis, despite the fact that I could help in the fight."

There was a second of quiet before Nyx let out a defeated chuckle, "Too smart for your own good, baby girl. And you're right, I am happy to have you far away from what could be the most intense fight any of us have ever seen. But…"

"But?" She urged.

"But," he continued, "Regis is right about one thing. No matter what, Noctis must be kept safe, and you're the best person for that. And if war does fall on Insomnia and the city falls, if Regis falls, those remaining will look to Noctis. He will be our light in the dark, Regis said. So I need you to just stick with him."

She closed her eyes and had to admit they were both right. If anything happened, Noctis would need to step up and lead. And no matter what was happening around them, she would give her last breath to protect him, Regis knew that. "Fine, I'll stay here. But if things get really bad, Nyx, I'm coming back."

"Let's play it by ear," he reasoned, "so far it's been quiet, but it feels like something’s building. So until I say so, don't you move."

"Yes, Sir," she mused in a playful tone.

"Your sass will be my end,” he laughed and it made her smile, “but I have to go, I have more meetings to attend. If I get any information, I'll call you.”

“Sounds good.”

“Okay, call me tomorrow if you can. Good night, baby girl.”

“Good night, Nyx.” And she hung up the phone.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Nyx stood before the doors to the throne room, took a calming breath, and pushed. The room was empty aside from Regis who was still sitting on his throne, elbow rested on the arm, and his head in his hand. But it was just him. No council members, no Glaive, no Kingscrown. It was eerily quiet as Nyx walked the long stretch towards the throne, his boots clanging unusually loud against the marble floors, almost sounding obnoxious.

Regis didn't look up, or even open his eyes, until Nyx stopped at the bottom of the steps. He gave a quick bow then bound up the stairs.

“Did you speak with Araceli?”

Nyx nodded as he reached the top.

“What did you tell her?”

“Nothing.” The king nodded, resting his chin on his hand.

“Is it wise to keep her in the dark?” He asked, rubbing his hand across his beard.

“She already wants to come back. If the fighting starts again she wants to be here,” Nyx shook his head, “she's right in saying that we could use her on the battlefield, but it's better that she stays with Noctis. If we tell her of our plan, she will return, whether I tell her to or not. Trust me, it's better this way.”

The king hummed, “Perhaps you're right. As much as I hate to hide this from her, I would rather them both be safe.”

“As would I.”

The king nodded slowly, thinking over everything that had happened over the past few days. Everything was happening so fast, too fast. A sudden peace treaty, his son being sent off to marry Niflheim royalty, the looming threat that this was only a ploy, a distraction of some sort to keep Regis in a state of ease, and he was getting weaker and weaker by the day. If he was honest, he wasn't sure he would even see the end of another war.

“If we are going to go through with this, your Highness, we are going to need more help.”

“At this point, Nyx, I'm not sure who I trust,” He rubbed his eyes then turned to face him. “Who do you suggest?”

Nyx smirked, “I have a few people in mind, people I would trust with my life.”

The king nodded, “Bring them in, we'll let them know the plan and discuss this with them immediately.”

“Yes, your Highness.” He bowed and quickly made his way back towards the door, “I'll let you know when we're ready in the briefing room.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

“You want to do what?!”

Nyx was standing in Libertus’s living room. The Glaive member, and his best friend, was sitting on the couch staring up at him in complete disbelief while he remained completely calm.

“I can't believe that of all things, this is what you and the king have come up with!?” He yelled, “And you want me to, what? Fall in right behind you as always?! Gullible as always Libertus, following his best friend right into the mouth of death?! You do realize that if we get caught, we'll die, right!”

“Do you have any other ideas?” Was all he asked, still calm.

“I… no,” he shook his head and sat in the chair across from Nyx, “I don't have another idea, but that doesn't mean that this idea is a good one.”

“Trust me, Lib, I don't like it either,” he leaned forwards and rested his arms on his knees, “but right now it's our best option.”

“And what exactly do you want me to do?” He too leaned forwards on his knees. “Have your back like always, I guess.”

“Do you?” He asked, brow raised, “Have my back?”

“Of course I do,” Libertus answered without hesitation, leaning back against the couch, “you know I always do, no matter what. Even when the plan's as messed up as this one, I'll still be right by your side, as always. Just know, if we get caught and killed, I'll kill you.”

Nyx actually laughed, a little of the stress from the day lifting slightly.

“So what do we do now?”

Nyx stood, heading towards the door and Libertus followed right behind, “We have a few more people to talk to, then the rest is up to the king.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: More to come! <3 Getting closer and closer to the excitement!

TAGS: @wisteriayamashi @prettyprompto @tea-time-with-devil-traps @idiotflowerex

I know its been like, a hundred years since I last posted (My bad guys) but if anyone ones to be tagged or untagged then just shoot me a message! <3

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