[Ardyn x Reader] After Insomnia's Fall

Chapter V: The Whistle and The Wicked

You slowly get up from your bed, the wood creaking and the bedsprings returning to their original shape. You rise the hand to your forehead and you rub it gently, your cold hands relieving the pain. However, and although it hurts, you can't stop thinking about the hazy dream you just had. You are almost certain that the man who was standing at the gates of the city is none other than Ardyn. After a few seconds, you let out a nervous giggle and shake your head, as you realize that you can't make head or tail of the dream.

However, the seed of doubt has already put down roots within you, its main weapon the mere possibility of that dream being actually true. It was too real to be a simple ethereal fantasy, a reverie without meaning or base. Your two main ideas are faced in a fierce battle that began, without you even knowing it, two days ago. Today, they reveal themselves in all their magnificence, making you the victim of their trivial war and confusing you. A confusion which intensifies with the remembrance of Ardyn's words.

"We know each other for a long time, yet you can't remember me...".

You try not to think about it anymore, but the issue chases you like your own shadow, laughing at you maliciously. Throughout Eos there is a great number of legends about the reincarnation of the soul, especially about the essences of the kings of Lucis and the Oracles, reason why it is widely believed that the reincarnation of the soul is completely true or, at the very least, highly probable. These legends and your knowledge about them only water that seed, helping to make it grow its delicate roots and causing you a new fear.

Am I... another? Can I say "I"? What if I'm not me?

You walk up to the dark table, pushing away the scattered books and the light box with subtle taps of your feet. You pick up your cell phone and quickly dial Ardyn's number, but the only voice that receives you is a robotized woman's voice, politely asking you to leave your message after the signal.

"Ardyn, it's me. I need to talk to you, it's urgent. Please call me back as soon as you hear my message, no matter what time it is. I did what you told me: I thought for myself and I reached some conclusions but only you can tell me if I'm right or not. And I don't know how it is possible for you to know it but I must assume that you will not tell me either. Anyway, please phone me." You say emphasizing the last three words.

Beep, beep.

Your headache extends in pulsations and you can't bear it, so you take one of the strongest pills you have, which luckily or unfortunately, are not too strong. You sit patiently for a few minutes, waiting for it to take effect. A new tremor, not as strong as the previous one, shakes the ground again and swings the lamp, the shadows taking advantage of the movement to meet with others in a synchronized dance.

You stretch and head to the other rooms of the house to see if Victor and your grandmother have already woken up, since you have taken a long nap: In fact, the sun was already hiding behind the long and steep mountain ranges of Lucis.

The little one sleeps placidly in the same place where you last saw him, his round face and small body making you wish he never grew up. Although you feel sorry for having to wake him up, you know you have to do it soon or else you would need a miracle for him to sleep all night long. Nevertheless, you decide to leave to briefly see your grandmother and wake him up later.

You found her awake and leaning against the couch, weaving tiny sets of wool to decorate some wooden figurines she bought long ago.

"Hi," you say, entering the room. "did you notice the tremor? Has it awakened you?" You ask her in a low voice, still hoarse from the nap.

"Hi, sweetheart. No, it wasn't the tremor but my own coughs. The ground has been shaking since you left for your latest hunt, and it hasn't stopped since then. People say it's because of the meteorite, but they aren't completely sure."