What the Heart Wants [Noctis Lucis Caelum Short Story]

VII

And in the end
Just three things mattered
How well we lived
How well we loved
And how well we learned
To let go

"Yes, yes I will marry you Noctis."

Hearing those words come out filled the Prince' heart with unattainable bliss, and for once even in this atrocity that surrounded him, Noctis felt that happiness he thought he had lost since you had left him return. He pulled you back into his embrace, "I'll get us out of this [Name], and we'll get married, I promise you." Noctis murmured into your hair. "I promise."

But deep within being, you couldn't help but not believe that such a promise could be fulfilled.

Without anymore to say, Noctis finally pulled you away from his embrace, however his hands still kept their hold on yours, finger entwined in a grip with no intention to let go. "Stay close to the others, I'll come find you later." He then leaned close, and pressed his lips against your forehead. "I love you." he knew the moment wasn't right, but Noctis just had to let you know--like it was the last time he was going to say it to you.

"I know." you said softly back. "I love you too." And with one last reassuring squeeze to his hand, you let go from his grasp, giving him a smile before you turned your back to help evacuate the citizens.

Everything was going smoothly with the evacuees entering the vehicles one after another with no disruptions. By this stage, Noctis was certain that everyone would be out of the city before the enemy empire got to them. However such thoughts came to soon. Looking up overhead, Noctis heart stopped at the sight he saw. As if it was even still possible, the sky was beginning to darken. The air grew denser as the wind started picking up, carrying with it a cloud of thick, black smoke. Suddenly, a loud roaring could be heard from above--resembling that of a military airship, and sure enough, emerging from the blanket of darkness was non other than the Niflheim airships--they had found them.

At the sight of the enemy approaching overhead, the crowd panicked. Screaming and shouting filled the air once more--people fled from all directions as they tried to rush towards their last chance of escape. Immediately the guards and Kingsglaives went onto high alert and began ushering the panic filled crowd into the vehicles. Their loud voices straining as they tried to yell reassuring words over the ear-piercing screams and wails. However that was deemed to be a difficult task when the Niflheim ships made their descend on the rubble. When the metal doors opened, the enemy troops-mechanical and in flesh--began flooding out of the airship--one by one--with their guns pointed at the many innocent lives. And without warning, they began to shoot, firing their bullets in rapid succession.

Quickly Noctis materialised his blade once again and rushed over to help the guards and glaives. Just like before, he hacked away at the incoming troops with no sign of hesitance. But this time, doing such was a lot more complicated due to the screaming crowd whom were swarming around in numerous directions. Not only did he have to protect the people, but he also had to make sure he didn't kill them either.

"Highness!"

Noctis whipped his body around to see his friends running towards him. They too had manifested their weapons from thin air. The young Prince quickened his pace and ran to meet them halfway. He was glad that they were still safe. But his heart picks up and his pupils grow wide when he came to realise--you weren't with them.

"Where's [Name]?" Noctis hastily asked his friends. "I thought she was with you!" The eyes of all three of them widened when they realised, none of them dared to respond. And that was enough for Noctis blood to run cold. "Where is she?!" he yelled out in panic. "Where's [Name]!?"