[Ardyn x Reader] After Insomnia's Fall

Chapter I: The first meeting (edited)

It has been almost a week since the fallen of Insomnia, along with the Lucian reign, by the hands of the Empire. Nevertheless, everything seemed the same. Everyone kept on with their routines and lived like if there was never any war. Or almost everyone.

It has been four hours since you started to look for a beast from a bounty hunt, and there was no trace of it. With your clothes stained from the mud, messy hair and dirty face, anyone could have believed you were an indigent. Except for the identification plates, which make clear what your job is. Your loyal companion does not go unnoticed either.

If I keep walking for more than an hour for nothing, I won't ever accept another hunt, you say to yourself, cursing your luck and everything that was around you. A sound similar to a yawn takes you back to reality and you turn around to look at your companion.

"Don't tell me you are sleepy again, Nebula".

Your fellow snarls, followed by a mighty roar. Why would I even bother to try to speak with a coeurl? You ask yourself. Nonetheless, you've been a long time with Nebula and because of this you know how lazy these beasts can be, data that many people aren't aware of. You know when it is safe to cross their territories and when it's mortal, or why do they not fight against each other.

"Alright, we'll make a 10 minutes break for you to take a quick nap but then we have to move on. I need you to trace that goddamn beast once and for all so that we can head back before night falls, got it?" You ask him, even though you aren't really expecting an answer. You lean against the nearest tree as Nebula sets near you, purring lightly while he smiles faintly (or the closest thing to a smile a coeurl can do). You look at you coeurl and pet his head and back, silently thanking him for being with you no matter what. Three days have gone by since you left Galdin's Quay and a week since you escaped unharmed from Insomnia. You frown, remembering how your life fell apart the moment the peace treaty was about to be signed.

That day you were near the southwest exit, looking for a birthday present for your younger brother. Nebula was always walking one step ahead of you, making his way through the crowd and earning inquisitive looks; many of which expressed fear while others had a hint of respect and admiration.

When the first bomb was dropped in Insomnia, your ears agonized for a couple of seconds before your body moved by itself to grab your brother and run away. You still remember the smell of the smoke and the warmth of the fire as you experience once again the same icy claw that threatened to destroy your heart when you realized your life wouldn't ever be the same again. Honestly, you knew something was wrong but you never expected anything like this. The memories of the burnt flesh smell and the agony cries are so strong that your body weakens just by remembering them. The pain you feel when thinking about your father and mother, killed during the siege, is more real than ever. Thanks to the Gods that, at least, they let me run away with Vict and Nebula.

Shaking your head, you take out the map and take a look at your surroundings. We've crossed a spring and a camp not that long ago, so at the end of this defile it should be what I'm looking for, you think while looking at the map and the landscape over and over again.

"Time to move, Nebu. I know it's only been five minutes but we are really close to our objective. The sooner we finish the sooner we can head back home."

Nebula jumps up and you do the same. You both start walking your way to the north, without encountering any beast... yet. After having walked for fifteen minutes, you hear a loud screech. There it is.

You start running and Nebula's fur bristled. You both know your objective is close so you speed up. The end of the defiler leads to an esplanade where you find a Bandersnatch whose physique is comparable to that of a Behemoth. The beast turns around and you make eye contact with it. Adrenaline fills your veins at the same time you draw your two guns. There's no turning back and you know it.