Capítulo 24: The Ruins
The group of five continued exploring the ruins quite shortly after the saving of Miss Navia. It wasn't long until they stumbled into the end of said ruins.
The path had many twists and turns but, surprisingly the ruins were rather small in size. Up a short staircase by the end of the ruins were three stone slates, each depicting something different.
Though there was also evidence of another slate that had been damaged or destroyed. Neuvilette, upon further inspecting the slates directed everyone's attention to the slate in the middle.
This specific drawing depicted a woman and a group of people behind her, possibly her followers, kneeling towards a floating island.
"She seems so... dedicated." Paimon thought aloud.
The majority of the group moved their focus onto the third image depicting Lady Furina surrounded by a group of people while she sunk into the water. They discussed the links between the slates and the prophecy of Fontaine.
That was all except for Noctis. His attention was glued towards the second slate depicting a floating island. Lumine, who also still had her attention on that slate noticed this.
"Is everything alright, Noctis?" She called out towards him, as the others continued to discuss. Noctis gently turned away letting out a gentle, "Hm?" As if he hadn't heard her.
"I asked if everything is alright." She repeated, this time making sure he was listening to her.
"Oh yes I'm fine, I just wish to know how Celestia is once again involved." He gave a short answer before going back to thinking quietly.
"Don't you think it looks as if they are confessing to some sort of sin?" Lumine questioned, gaining the attention from the others who had been discussing the order of the slates.
"The previous Hydro Archon, Egeria, then. I never met her, but her appearance here does match the records." Neuvilette spoke to us all, wording his thoughts.
The group, apart from Noctis and Lumine, went back to discussing the origin of the slates and mystery behind the slates. Lumine and Noctis were silently thinking to themselves.
Eventually everyone had finished their discussing or thoughts and they had finally left the ruins. They had concluded that the information they needed would have to come from Lady Furina herself, they wouldn't make any progress without her input.
Navia decided to head back to Spina Di Rosula, while Paimon complained she was way too tired and seemed rather impressed at the energy Navia had.
Neuvilette too said he shall depart, informing everyone, mainly the Traveller, he will definitely be questioning Furina about the stone slates found in the ruins.
He informed Lumine that they are free to drop by his office to share the results of his discussion with her. Lumine happily agreed, it was clear she was concerned for the people of Fontaine.
After Neuvilette and Navia deperted it was just Lumine, Paimon and Noctis. Noctis was still rather silent which made Lumine and Paimon slightly worried.
They shared a gaze of concern then Paimon decided to call out to him, "Hey Noctis? Do you wanna join us at the Fleuve Cendre?" Noctis turned to them and shook his head gently with a light smile.
"No, I'm alright I should probably go and meet up with Arlecchino." He answered in an unusually soft tone, as if he was trying to convey he was feeling fine.
The Traveller and Paimon looked at eachother once more before turning back to Noctis and nodding in understanding.
"Alright then! Well if you need us we'll be at the Fleuve Cendre then!" Paimon shouted out in her usual tone with a large grin.
The two of them gave Noctis a wave and began walking away from the ruins' entrance back towards the Fleuve Cendre.
---
Lumine
"Noctis sure was being weird today, right Traveller?" Paimon spoke aloud, trying to bring a conversation to the journey.
"I wouldn't say he was being too weird.." She answered gently as she continued to walk along the path.
"Huh? But he was so different??" Paimon responded in shock. "I mean he was so quiet." She added on with a small shiver.
"I think it's because of the slates." I said as I tried to think back to anything that could've made his behavior change.
"The slates?" Paimon questioned.
Before answering Lumine thought a moment more, "Well I think it's something to do with Celestia specifically."
"Yeah that does make sense!" Paimon shouted out, "it was after seeing the slate with the floating island that he started acting differently."
"And, he is a Sovereign. They don't exactly have a good relationship with Celestia." I recalled the one time I saw him angry. When his hand was wrapped tightly around my neck, and his eyes gleamed a hollow purple. Like they contained no life at all. He truly was horrifying then.
---
Noctis
I had finally arrived back at the hotel Arlecchino and I have been staying at. I slowly made my way towards the bedroom.
Upon entering I noticed Arlecchino laying on the bed reading a book but my brain was way too tired from all the discussions I listened to at the ruins. So, I simply flopped down on the end of the bed.
"Seems someone had a long day." Arlecchino teased as she flipped the page of her book and continued to read.
"It wasn't necessarily long we just found these stone slates depicting the prophecy, one had a depiction of Celestia. That kind of pissed me off remembering what they did. But while I was thinking of Celestia they were debating the prophecy the whole time and it was just way too much info when I'm trying only to focus on Celestia.
"Awww~ I'm so sorry you had to listen to discussions..." She said sarcastically with a very exaggerated pained expression.
I lifted my head from the bed, looking up towards her. The most notable thing the slight view of her underwear from underneath the clothes she was wearing. "I don't appreciate your sarcasm.."
I would've mentioned that I could see her underwear but knowing Arlecchino the attack would just easily get turned around onto me, leaving me as the flustered one.
"Hmph.. too bad. Listening to discussions is much easier than running an entire orphanage, after all." She responded coldly. I guess I can't argue against that..
I pulled myself up the bed, placing myself in a position laying next to her. I gently leaned my head on her shoulder and read through the book she was reading.
It was lists of mission reports from many different members of the house of hearth.
"Still working even now, huh." I stated simply.
"Why of course, house of hearth matters are always serious." She said as she took one hand away from the mission reports and began to gently stroke my hair.
The sensation of her hand gently flowing down my hair was comforting and I could feel my worries of Celestia floating away. Despite how cold Arlecchino appeared she was extremely comforting to be around, for me at least..
After who knows how long Arlecchino closed the book of mission reports and spoke. "So, I know you're tired. But, how did the ruins turn out?"
I let out a yawn, "Well, we found slates. We deduced there were originally four but the first had been destroyed, or removed." I explained.
Arlecchino nodded along as I explained, "The slates depicted the prophecy of Fontaine. Starting with the Second which depicted the original Hydro Archon confessing some sort of sin to Celestia. The third consisted of the current Hydro Archon being surrounded by people and submerged in water. The fourth and final one, the Hydro Archon weeping on her throne."
"Interesting indeed." Arlecchino hummed hearing my explanation. "So, what do you intend to do?" She curiously asked.
"Nothing really? Unless you want me to? Neuvilette is said to have a discussion with Furina tomorrow and The Traveller and Paimon have been invited to hear what they discussed. I could go to that." I explained to her in which she nodded.
"Yes it would be most preferable if you go to that discussion and gather some more intel on the prophecy. I will keep the House on standby in case something happens." Hearing her words I nodded.
"That's that then." I responded, accepting her terms.
---
Noctis
I tiredly walked into Palais Marmonia, whilst asleep my head was resting on Arlecchino and she woke up super early. When she woke up she woke me up by moving away... After that i couldn't go back to sleep, so I just left for Palais Marmonia.
I strolled over to Neuvilette's office, pacing back and forth with a worried expression outside of his office was a small Melusine. Upon noticing me the Melusine started to power walk towards me.
"Monsieur Noctis!" The Melusine called out in a panic.
Before answering I ushered for the Melusine to try and calm down. It was a struggle and wasn't fully effective but the Melusine did slightly calm down.
"What's wrong?" I questioned the Melusine in a worried tone.
"It's Monsieur Neuvilette and Lady Furina. They seem to have gotten in a dispute. The Traveller and Paimon already went there but Lady Furina ran out of the Palais Marmonia!" The Melusine practically shouted at me.
"Alright, I'll go in and see what I can do." I responded with a gentle smile, an attempt at calming down the Melusine.
I walked into Neuvilette's office, instantly I noticed him standing in front of his desk discussing creating a situation where Furina would be forced to speak with the Traveller.
"The Melusine outside gave me a debrief." I spoke, making my presence known. "You wanna tell me Furina went, I could go check on her while you discuss." I spoke before the Traveller and Paimon could even greet me.
Neuvilette released a heavy sigh and nodded, "she mentioned hearing to the opera. Try not to be too harsh with her..." I nodded in understanding and left the office.
As I walked out I assured the Melusine everything would be fine.
Using my Electro energy I quickly arrived at the Opera house. Large queues of people stood outside, probably waiting for entry to the show.
"Now I wonder how I get in here, I'm sure security won't just let me waltz in without a ticket." I said to myself as I looked towards the doors of the Opera Epiclese. Two guards stood outside checking tickets.
"Tch oh well it's not like I have to be waiting." once more I spoke to myself as I charged a small burst of electo energy into my legs.
With a loud zap and a bright flash I dashed past the ticketers and into the Opera house. I then made my way up the stairs towards Furina's personal booth. She was kind of bratty and spoilt so I was nearly one hundred percent sure she would be there.
Arriving at her personal boof of sorts I heard small sniffling coming from the large chair in front of me. In between sniffles there was occasional laughter I assume from the show below.
Silently, I stood beside her seat. "Lady Furina." I said blankly, revealing myself to her. She let out a light yet loud scream but I gently covered her mouth before anyone could here it.
"Try not to scream, it's me Noctis. I don't plan on hurting you." I then removed my hand from her covering her mouth.
"Noctis... You're that Harbinger who came with The Knave... What do you want?" She spoke quietly, her voice was shaky and she was clearly very wary of me.
"I simply just want to talk." I exclaimed, Furina seemed extremely cautious and very scared. Infact she was physically shaking and some tears were dropping from her eyes.
"You're not going to hurt me, right?" She said slowly and carefully as if she was trying not to annoy me. This was definitely very Unarchonly of her...
"As I said before, I do not plan on hurting you."
(A/N) Hope you all enjoyed this chapter, the next one shouldn't take as long because I want to finish where this chapter left off quite quickly. Still, hope you enjoyed.
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