Exeuntes, a Story Based on Final Fantasy XV

Chapter XI: Ascension

An Introductory Note:

I haven't updated in a month but I hope this long (3,955 words) chapter makes up for it.

Pictured: Government Estate, Altissia, Kingdom of Accordo

Song used:

15. High Hopes by Panic! at the Disco

September 5th, 2020 - This one took a while to edit but I'm finally done!

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"Testing, testing... is this fine, Nathaniel?" A loud voice in his ear asks, interrupting his thoughts.

"Uh... a little loud but it works fine," he replies, adjusting the volume of his earpiece.

"You sound... distressed. Are you alright?" the voice asks. It takes a few moments for Nathan to finally recognize it as Domani's.

"I'm a little nervous, Your Highness... but I'm sure you understand that," he answers, looking out of his private train car as it races towards the palace.

"Indeed I do. Putting on those glasses might alleviate some of that tension."

"Oh! Right..." Nathan says, pulling the pair of sleek glasses out of its case. Carefully putting it on for the first time, he notices how comfortably it fits... almost like it was made for him.

"Judging by the lack of ruffling, I believe that you've successfully put them on your face. I need you to place one of your fingers on its frame to activate it."

"Alright, hold on..." Brushing his fingers across the right side of its frame, the glasses seem to hum softly as they initialize.

"Good morning, Your Excellency. It is the second of June, 765. The weather is a cool-"

"Gah!" Nathan shouts, almost flinging the glasses off his face.

"Ah yes, probably should have informed you that it does have a guidance system that's connected directly to our earpieces. My apologies."

"Right... what else can it do? I really don't want to look stupid in front of the royal court." Nathan says, examining them closely.

"I assure you that I have turned off the rest of its features for the time being. Be aware that they will automatically turn back on should it lose connection to my laptop."

"That's reassuring..."

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In what only seems like a couple more seconds, Nathan arrives at the palace's underwater train station.

It's already bustling with activity: various dignitaries being interviewed by the press, security personnel scanning every move and Accordoan representatives discussing matters with their foreign counterparts.

"Uh... Nathan, shall we get off?" someone asks, disturbing his survey of the surroundings.

He turns towards the sound to identify its owner. "Jordan! Uh... yeah, shall we go um... together?"

"Whatever you want, Your Excellency," Jordan responds, a smirk forming on his face. He attempts to bow but accidentally hits an attendant, "Sorry!"

The attendant turns towards them and cracks a smile, "The new Governor General's already taken? I can't say I'm surprised though... Sorry for intruding!" She leaves their car with a kind smile on her face.