Chapter Text
Lars Alexsandersson had finally made his return, Almos by his side. The first thing he laid eyes upon were the tombs that were formatted in the shape of a door, with many other tombs going down the right and left of the door-like shape. One in possession of the soul ability to form connections had connected them closely together—due to the strength of this connection, he could feel the sheer pressure of the soul power it possessed to repel the Dark Spirits. Lars took a moment to admire the structure of the tombs—the ancient Japanese-like textures never failed to strike him in awe.
Almos walked through the door, unnerved by the pressure, contrary to the reaction of the proclaimed strongest.
“It’s some impressive architecture.” Almos acknowledged, “Best we’ve had in years. Guess the quality of them rises naturally every year.”
“Naturally with the money we give them,” Lars stepped beside him, “Whatever gets the job done.”
The workers had noticed his arrival—and so, they would begin to work harder than ever before, though not as hard as they were previously for the preparations for the event were almost done. “Everything is going smoothly.” Said Lars, gearing his gaze over towards the headquarters of the other team. Being three days into the goodwill event as a whole, both of the team’s leaders hadn’t met. Usually, the greeting between both leaders had been the first thing of the event, the only two participants being the leaders, of course.
It was by far the easiest quest of the event, and was almost always completed. It had been so for the past seven years in a row. This time around, Rosalina did not accept the greeting via handshake, resulting in a consequence.
When specific conditions are not met in a quest, a consequence is granted. Depending on the scale, they can vary.
In this case, the purpose of the quest was to establish the definite sportsmanship between the two teams for the event—the consequence fell upon both.
If one team were to lose, then they were to be subjected to The Void.
In the headquarters of the second team, all one could ask was…
“What in the world made you think this was a good idea?”
𝐍𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐒 𝐋𝐔𝐂𝐈𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐄𝐋𝐔𝐌
The wayward prince soon to become king.
“Giving us a consequence is only going to pressure us even further. Did you even think this through?”
Rosalina paced around the room, bringing him not even an ounce of acknowledgement.
Unicornera sat on the last seat of the table to the right of the room, staring outside the window.
Meanwhile, Mizan was…
“I wouldn’t worry too much about it. After all, If we can overcome a consequence with our strength, then perhaps we could learn something valuable!"
Well, Mizan.
He was standing in the corner, keeping a calm face while an ever-growing excitement had been ignited in him.
Then, Rosalina finally spoke.
“I did think it through, my student.” She said, “And I thought you would understand.”
Noctis scratched his head, “If I was like any other who's like us, then probably. But,” Rosalina had stopped pacing around the room, “I actually have a concern for how I’ll deal with this situation.”
“Noctis,” She sighed, “I never knew you had so little confidence in our ability to win.”
“I’m just open to other possibilities,” He said, “One that you’re too blind to see. Not too far off, considering we’re tied when it comes to wins, but there is still a possibility.”
For a moment, there was only silence, and during it, Noctis could only curse at himself in his head. Talking back to the leader of his group, what was he thinking?
Rosalina took a few steps forward to Noctis, staring deeply into his eyes.
“Say the words,” She said, “The path of succession…”
Noctis hesitated. He had heard those words before—every vessel did upon birth.
“Lies within death.” He finished the sentence.
“All I want is my younger brother dead, is that clear?” She asked, no more loud, no more soft.
He just stared for a moment. He knew there was no convincing the woman before him—a woman who, to him, in every sense of the word was…
Insane…
At the same time, he could understand what she wanted.
Deep down, he wanted it to.
His eyes flickered as he held his head down in shame.
“Alright then…” He said, too tired to form a rebuttal.
But Mizan narrowed his eyes at that proposal. He couldn’t let the source of his thrill go away, yet this seemed to be the path of strength for his teacher.
“Hold on now,” he stepped forward from the corner. “I want to know something.”
Rosalina and Noctis turned their heads to Mizan, awaiting themselves for the possible nonsense that would come out of his mouth.
“Are there any other options to a means of your succession besides the death of that Spectral?” He continued, “If not, then I shall not object.”
Finally, none of that battle-hungry nonsense, she thought, well-aware it had resided in his soul. “Whether it’s fortunate for you or not, there is no other way.”
Mizan kept a shiver within his subconscious, knowing what he would have to do when the final event took place. If he couldn’t have Mario as the one to rival him, then no one else could—especially if it resulted in a death.
Rosalina’s soul-ability registered the selfishness of the battle-hungry student. It was at times like this where she wondered the connections she could see throughout the world and amongst the people were all that worth it.
“Very well.” Mizan said, backing up towards the spot he was in previously and crossing his arms.
Unicornera paid no attention to the subtle commotion between the team. She never did, and was sure she never would unless it involved…
“And as for Link…”
She finally took her gaze away from the window, her ears perked up. Rosalina’s gaze had already met hers’.
“I want him dead as well,” said Rosalina, “He’s friends with my younger brother and my successor. I understood that the moment he arrived back there. So kill him.”
There were no questions needed to be asked. That determined spark in her eyes, it was as bright as ever.
“I will, that’s always been the plan.” Said Unicornera. Of course, she wouldn’t do it from obligation alone.
Noctis couldn’t use his tiredness as an excuse to not speak his voice. This discord felt within these plans, the discord felt within these people. It was going to further ensure their already possible loss.
“Hold on a second!” He shouted, catching the gaze of everyone in the room. “The death of other Spectrals at the hands of another spectral, as said in the Spectrals codes, will subject one who committed the crime to soul-removal. Absolute death!” His voice had raised, becoming more raspy, “You won’t be a Spectral anymore!”
“What does it matter to you?” Unicornera asked, “If I finally kill Link, then I’ll finally fulfill my purpose. I spent every day and night in this camp, hoping that one day, I would find that Hylian, and make him pay for what he did. He’s in my grasp now, right? I can kill him, and do my part as a Spectral.”
“But what after that?” Mizan was no longer smirking. “Spectrals are tied to one ideal, whether it’d be your own or the same as the purpose.” his voice was calm as he removed himself out of the spot again, his arms still folded. “But that’s immensely hollow.”
“Would you shut your mouth just for this one, singular day!” Unicornera stomped her hooves. “Every word that comes out of that foolish mouth of yours is complete nonsense!”
Noctis sighed.
Why does this gotta be a daily thing?
“Or perhaps, you're just too blind.”
Unicornera flenched.
“What's the point of life if what brings you happiness is only small?” Mizan continued, “Doesn't that seem way too finite with how fleeting life already is?”
Unicornera stomped her hoof once more, groaning and taking a few steps forward to Mizan.
“You are despicable!”
Mizan smirked, sensing something as he began to walk forward.
“Cut it out!”
Noctis held forth a regular sword in between the two, though their attention remained on each other.
This was the first function of Weapon Ascension, the soul ability of Noctis. “Is there a real purpose to be doing all of this when we're on a team?”
Rosalina was smiling, teeth showing. “Conflict always arises when different people are placed together.”
“Though that should not negate teamwork and respect.”
Everyone in the room felt an overwhelming presence of the one above them all, though he himself thought otherwise. Not even sound could be present as the feeling ensued, and by the time they stared at the door, Lars Alexsandersson was standing there.
INFORMATION
- Noctis Lucis Caelum holds the same potential Link and Mario have.
- Upon his announcement as the new Magic Vessel, Noctis was deemed "less star looking material" due to a lack of resemblance of the previous Vessel.
- Joined Rosalina's Goodwill Event Team due to a Request from the Chancellor of Lucis.
"I never use my Magic when fighting with others." - Noctis.
Chapter End