Dark Love -Noctis Lucis Caelum Story

Chapter 9

Noctis had kept complaining that he was hot, and all the others could do was suggest for him to take off his jacket or shut up all in general. Cor had began talking about how where there was a battle close to the tomb where they were at against the Empire. Cor went into some more detail, but before they knew it, imperial soldiers were there, aiming to take fire at the group.

"Take 'em head on, or sneak up from behind, the choice is yours." Cor suggested to Noctis. The Prince and Hadria shared a look to indicate they were on the same page. Hadria nodded her head once, placing her hand once more on her mark to summon her scepter. Noctis immediately warped striked to the imperial soldiers. To the princess, it was quite easy to get rid of the soldiers since they weren't real, tactful humans. After a short while of fighting, it seemed that Noctis got ahold of the machine gun, completely tearing through the rest of the enemy.

"I guess that gets the job done rather quickly." Hadria quipped at Noctis, finding it amusing that it was him using the gun, and not the gunslinger Prompto. Noctis only smirked as they kept going down the trail, but was met with magitek armor. They posed a a moderate risk to the six, but nevertheless Noctis had to make a comment.

"Marshal, you'd have to be pretty badass to take that down, right?"

"Think you're up to it? Let's see what you can do." Cor said as if he didn't really care. They all climbed around the rocks until they were detected, and small missiles were launched at them.

Maybe this battle isn't exactly worth it.

It was if Noctis read her mind, and decided to instead go to the cave where they needed to be, and not get demolished by the magiteks.

"Here's where we go our separate ways. Take this key. It unlocks all the doors to the other tombs. Seek them out, and lay claim to the power they hold. You'll need it. I'll keep an eye on the Niffs. See what they do. But you should focus on your own task." Cor remarked before leaving them to ourselves. They started into the cave instantly, wasting not even a second. Noctis was able to find the generator to turn on the lights, but after that the whole cave was like a maze. Soon enough they were faced with Goblins, but the creatures were easy enough to take down. Finally we made it to the second tomb, the tomb of the conqueror. Instead of a sword being the weapon of his ancestor, it was an ax. The same event happened from the first tomb, but Noctis seemed to be saddened still by his birthright. Hadria walked up to Noctis, bumping her shoulder up against his.

"Looks like you'll be rivalling your father's legacy. Maybe we should call you the copycat king." She shot playfully at him. She knew he needn't be dwelling on the what was happening back at the crown city.

"You're out of line, princess." Noctis smoothly slapped back at her, turning back around in a seemingly happier manner. With the second tomb done and over with, they made their way back to the entrance of the cave. Soon enough Noctis got a call, and it was from Cor. They talked for a minute before the prince ended the call.

"Cor said that the empire is trying to install a base just west of the road leading to Duscae, he needs us to take care of it for good. If we don't get it, we won't be able to head west which costs us even more tombs. We have to go meet Monica at the outpost, let's go." Noctis put his phone back in his pocket, and Hadria took hers out.

"Let me tell Io and Kiora. I'm sure they can go scope it out as well, see what we are up against?" Hadria suggested, looking over at Ignis for some insight.

"We'll need all the intel we can get at this point. Call them when we get to the car. Us four will wait in the car while you fill them in." Ignis agreed with her, and the group followed the long path down to the car. The four boys got into the car and Hadria called Kiora, knowing she would pick up her phone the quickest. The phone only rang twice before Kiora answered with a hello.

"Kiora, it's nice to hear a girl voice again." Hadria laughed a bit as she leaned up against the back of the car.

"Trust me, Hadria, Io and I are much more relieved to hear your voice than you are to hear ours. Has your mission come to an end?" Kiora was just as playful as Hadria talking on the phone. Hadria heard Io in the background screaming hi, I miss you, please come back, etc.

"As this one comes to an end, another one has arised. We need your help this time however." The princess said, looking into the car to see if the boys were trying to eavesdrop. She went on when she noticed the boys were minding their own business. "The empire is trying to build a base on the road leading west out of Duscae. I need you both to scope it out and tell us any information you can when we meet back up, okay?" Hadria gave them their order, standing straight up from the car.

"Seems easy enough. We're close to that area so it won't take long to get a good look at their set up." Kiora complied with the princess, and Hadria could hear her Kiora telling Io the plans.

"We'll meet back up at this outpost, alright? Ill send you the coordinates for it. Please be safe. Don't put yourselves in harm's way as you going looking around. I love you guys." Hadria turned a little sentimental as she was still worried about her friends since she wasn't there with them. Kiora ended the call, and Hadria knocked on the glass so that Noctis would get out of the car and let her sit in the middle. She quickly got settle into her seat, happier now that she could give her back a break. No one said anything really as Ignis started to drive back to Hammerhead. Gladio broke the silence when we saw a deep scar forming on her arm from the daggerquill.

"You know, that'll look pretty badass once it heals all the way. You got any other scars?" Gladio was actually fascinated by her three clawed scar going from her bicep down to where he forearm begins. She knew his question was innocent, but it hurt he deeply to think about scars. No, she didn't have any physical ones besides the newest addition, but she had many internally.

"I don't have any more physically, but mentally and emotionally is quite a different story." Hadria looked and sounded normal on the inside, but she was a mess on the inside. Maybe she had gotten better at holding it on all these years because she was forced to. Hadria felt Noctis's eyes on her, and yet she still dared to look him in the eyes. His eyes conveyed the feelings of hurt, pain, and even anger.

"Sometimes it's better to leave things in the past, Hadria." Noctis's voice was sharp, looking away from her and out the window.

"Leaving things in the past are not always easy as it seems, Noctis. Maybe I should take some notes from you on how to leave things in the past." Hadria spat out, but she had wished the words never did come viciously spewing out. Everyone was looking at Hadria now, and she recoiled back in her seat.

"Noctis I'm sorry, that came out in the worst wa-" She was cut off by Noctis.

"Please...just stop talking..." Noctis's voice was shallow and hoarse. Hadria stopped pushing him, knowing she did enough damage and it was best to just shut up. This was her mistake now, and the tables have finally turned against her favor.

- Ahh! It's been so long since I actually did a update. I lowkey didn't proof read this. I could give y'all the generic excuses as to why I haven't update in like a year, but I'm not. I am going to try and update this every week, or every other week since my college schedule is actually loaded ngl. I do want to finish this story though so please bare with me and my weird ass updating times! Thanks so much!

                     -Hannah