บท 15: Abyss

Neuvillette

A surge of unknown emotions overwhelmed me as I stood there, caught off guard by the unexpected hug. It was a moment that seemed to suspend time, as if the universe had conspired to bring us together in that very instant. Though I felt I barely knew this person, their embrace felt strangely comforting and familiar, In that fleeting moment, our hearts connected, transcending the boundaries of logic and reason. I couldn't help but reciprocate the hug, feeling a sense of warmth and acceptance wash over me. It was a beautiful mystery, a connection that defied explanation, yet it was undeniably real and profound. As we stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us, and what this unexpected bond would mean in the grand tapestry of our lives.

The heavy rain that had been drenching Fontaine was beginning to lighten as I found solace in the warm embrace of Noctis.

I pulled away from his embrace and looked into his eyes, their gleaming amethyst was smothered in tears. Behind him the Traveller and Paimon stood sharing a gaze of bewilderment. "I am sorry but other than our previous meeting I don't remember you."

Noctis took a step back and wiped the tears from his eyes. Before speaking he look towards the Traveller and Paimon. "Very well, I suppose I should introduce myself."

Noctis took a deep breathe and while waiting for him to elaborate I scanned his features closely trying to recall anything about him. "As you are the dragon of Hydro, I too am a dragon, The Electro Sovereign." He paused and frowned slightly before continuing, "though it seems you cannot remember your older brother anymore.."

My mind raced with intensity as I pondered the reason behind my rebirth, in this form, unable to attain the status of a true dragon. However, if his words held true, then I was no longer alone in this predicament.

Behind Noctis, Lumine, and Paimon were stood, their faces contorted into expressions of utter disbelief and astonishment. The shock was palpable in the air as they struggled to process what they had just heard. Their eyes widened, their mouths agape, unable to find the words to articulate their overwhelming surprise.

"So that's why your so powerful!" Paimom screamed as covered her mouth with one hand, "The Traveller didn't stand a chance fighting a Sovereign." The Traveller turned to Paimon with an annoyed expression.

"Well thanks for your words of encouragement." Paimon just responded to her with a nervous laugh.

"Let me ask you one thing, Noctis." Noctis brought his attention back to me. "Are you also missing a large portion of your memories?

He pondered for a considerable amount of time, carefully contemplating his thoughts and weighing his words, before finally breaking the silence and speaking. "I can't remember any of our siblings names." He paused for another while and spoke once more, "I remember fighting and dying but nothing before, I don't remember anything we did with our siblings before our death."

Before responding I searched through my mind, checking all the memories I still had, trying to recall anything about a fight. "The usurpers" I said to myself receiving a nod from Noctis. He then mentioned that they emerged from a scarlet fissure in the sky. The Traveller seemed to perk up at the mention of this.

She shouted, her voice full of desperation, "Can you tell me more about these people?" Noctis shook his head with a solemn expression, "All I know is that they were incredibly powerful."

I also shook my head but asked my own question in response. "Why is it you want to know?" Lumine seemed to deflate as she looked down to the ground. "I saw the same fissure when the unknown god took my brother.."

"I remember Childe talking about that a few times. I believe he said it was the reason behind your travels, to find your brother." Lumine slowly lifted her head and nodded, Paimon was by her side with a frown, attempting to comfort her.

"Exactly, I'll be honest... I'm not from this world. My brother, Aether, told me this world wasn't safe, we attempted to leave, but when we did..." She monetarily paused and took a deep, shaky breath. "The unknown god appeared and took my brother."

Noctis turned towards me with an irritated stare and spoke, "See these usurpers ruined our world." I tried to speak again and say that this was a sad moment, but he continued to talk. "If she and her brother came to here when we ruled, it would've been the best place to live!"

I believed Noctis' actions were lacking sensitivity and was concerned that it might worsen Lumine's feelings. However, to my surprise, I heard her laughing lightly instead.

We both turned towards her, slightly confused.

"Maybe when I find him we can all get revenge on them, then we can create a serene world for ourselves." Noctis sent a small, warm smile.

"I would be happy to invite you to our world." Noctis exclaimed.

"And, I would be happy if you helped me judge the God's" Noctis turned to me with a blank stare. "What?"

"You sure have begun to take your job as a judge seriously." I rolled my eyes, "of course I have, I've been doing it for four hundred years after all.."

He smiled at me before talking, "in any case I'm just happy to have my brother back."

I smiled contently, fully believing his claims to be one of the Sovereigns. Though I couldn't explain it, a strong connection between us was evident. Something inside me assured he wasn't lying.

"Woah! He can smile! Paimon thought she would never see the day!" Lumine and Noctis laughed and I released an sigh..

"I may not be able to express myself well, but Paimon, I assure you, I definitely do have emotions." Paimon gave a nervous laugh and spoke out.

"Hehe~ Paimon didn't mean any disrespect she just means that she's never seen you show more than a neutral expression before." I let out a sigh before responding.

"No offense taken... But I do believe its getting late and I'm very busy.."

Noctis

I gazed beyond the opera epiclese, where the sun's radiant light gently descended beneath the horizon, casting a warm glow. The vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple painted the sky, creating a breath-taking spectacle.

"Paimon thinks Monsieur Neuvilette is right.." the Traveller nodded in response and then spoke, "Agree.. I'm so tried, Noctis' beating didn't help..." I gave a nervous laugh and rubbed the back of my head.. "Sorry about that..."

"No worries, its fine.. I'm used to it.." she responded with a nervous smile. 'That's not a good thing...' I thought.

"I shall be taking my leave, for now." Neuvilette said to the three of us. I gave him a smile and a wave, "Alright see you later." Lumine and Paimon both waved him off and he took his leave.

"As a way to say sorry I will look out for your bother."

"Thank you." She gave a friendly smile.

"I should start heading back to the inn."

"Alright, Paimon wants to check something in the Fortress of Meropide anyway." The Traveller nodded in agreement. I sent them a wave and took my leave.

I began to walk along the path which lead back towards the Court of Fontaine, along the way I admired the mountainous terrain of Fontaine. The environment felt so pure and serene, the grass was a beautiful, luscious green. The sunlight glistened on the surface of the water on either side of the path.

It was getting rather late and the path was empty, I was the only one here, but it didn't feel that way...

Through darkness and into the mountain ranges I felt an inhumane, dark presence watching my every move with extreme – pin-point accuracy.

I ignored my instincts and continued to walk towards Marcotte Station, where the aqua bus would take my to the city, but the presence never stopped observing me.

Not for a second.

I waited in the station for the aqua, all while staying alert for any kind of sneak attack. When the aqua bus arrived and stepped onto it and greeted the Melsuine operating it.

I stayed close to Melusine, standing before them. I felt whatever, or whoever, was watching me would now. Doing so would put this innocent Melusine, which my brother cherishes so much in danger.

The ride continued like normal, until suddenly, a dark blue flame in the shape on arrow was shot towards me from behind the Melusine.

In a haste I quickly grabbed the Melusine and turned my back to the flaming arrow. The arrow whizzed through the air and I felt it embed itself within my back. I grit my teeth as endured the pain, letting go of the Melusine.

"Are you okay mister!" the Melusine screamed out in a panic. "Fine.. just stay back!" the Melusine's expression was fearful as they hid behind me.

I felt the invasive flames slowly scorching my skin as they tried to spread across my back. I had no choice but to ignore the pain.

The silhouette of person appeared on the front of the aqua bus, there face was shrouded in darkness. However, a golden sword with white embroidery was visible.

Soon after appearing the figure spoke, "You.. I watched you attack my sister..." their voice was injected with wrath and small tints of regret were visible.

"Your sister?" I retraced today's actions, the only person I fought today was the Traveller. "You're the Traveller's sibling?"

"Yes.." they responded with a nod. "Then why are you here!" the person seemed to recoil shocked by my sudden outburst.

"because you attacked my sister..!" I shook my head in disapproval. "Yes I did attack your sister but that's not what I mean. Your poor sister has been searching the entire world looking for you! If you can show your self so easily why not go see her!" Aether recoiled once more.

"Don't tell me what to do I! I'm busy, do you really think I'm avoiding my sister because I want to!" his voice was injected with disdain and a palpable aura of killing intent leaked from him.

"Honestly, I do! You say your busy yet you have the time to come here and confront me!" Aether gritted his teeth in response to my exclamation..

"You wouldn't understand!" He dashed towards me not even trying to hid his intent.

I took a deep breath in and time seemed to slow as I drew on the pool of my energy once more. Using electro without my full authority drained me. I had already used the majority of my energy when I had that outrage at Lumine.

The odds were stacked against me...

I don't even have my weapon so I'll have to use extra energy to make a replacement...

I quickly formed a blade from my energy and used it to block Aether's attack. Time seemed to accelerate back to normal as I brought my blade up in a flash, Aether's sword clashed with mine and the force behind his attack was no joke.

The bones in my hands felt as if they were cracking from the impact of his attack.

"your quick, I will give you that." He paused and an evil smirk spread across his face, "However, I haven't even began to use my elements."

'Elements? Plural? That doesn't sound good' I thought to myself, abyssal flames exuded from his sword and begun spreading along my electro energy. I quickly dissipated the blade, stopping the spread.

Instantly forming a new blade I spun around using the moment to unleash a devastating blow.

Zing

A loud sizzling resounded as our blades collided, 'he was able to block that so easily?' as our sword where locked in place he stomped his foot down on the floor, spikes of abyssal flame erupted from the shadow cast by his sword, each piercing me.

Multiple solid spikes of dark-blue flame pierced through my body, mainly my chest and shoulders. The spikes quickly retracted into the floor and I felt the flames burning within me.

A viscous crimson liquid leaked from each of the wounds the spikes made. The pain was unimaginable. It felt as if my lungs were on fire. And I'm pretty sure they literally were...

I pulled harder on the pool of Electro residing within me. Electro energy exited my body in form of tendrils. The tendrils nipped at my body sewing the holes formed by Aether shut. Aether's eyes widened in slight shock, but just as quickly he was serious again.

"You're quite resilient." I ignored his small talk and pulled even harder on my dormant energy. Exhaustion began to attack my body and my muscles felt as if they were going to rip apart. My heart began to pound in my head as more energy rushed into my body.

Blood began leaking from my eyes, ears, nose and mouth. The excess energy exuded from my form as tendrils which shelled the Meulsine behind me. I continued to draw on my energy supplies. My energy was to plentiful, just not as dense as it was when I had my full authority. This meant it took longer and was more dangerous from my body to charge up lots of energy.

Aether, not sure what I was doing seemed to panic, he sent a barrage of abyssal flames towards me, each hitting their mark. I felt the invasive flames spread I'm my body attacking all of my vital organs.

My bones began to crunch under the heat of the flames and the pressure of my own energy.

A low hum resounded as the energy continued to charge. I knew even with all this energy I wouldn't be able to win the fight. It was obvious with how much I had already damaged myself. My main goal was to go as fast as I could and get me and the Melusine out of here.

My body fell limp and I fell to the floor of the aqua bus, the violet energy around me still violently dancing around my wounds, healing them and instants later re-opening them.

The energy that emanated from the depths of my being converged into a violent sphere, enveloping both the Melusine and I within its ethereal embrace. As the sphere grew in size and power, my wounds got worse and worse.

A symphony of thunderous roars reverberated through the air, shaking the very foundations of the planet. Brilliant streaks of vibrant purple lightning fissured the darkened sky, illuminating the heavens with their awe-inspiring display. The intensity of the violet radiance was so overwhelming it rivaled the brilliance of the midday sun, casting a surreal glow upon everything it touched.

The lightning struck both the Melusine and I, transporting us into the Inn where Arlecchino should have been. I glanced weakly upwards to witness Arlecchino's expression of panic as she hurried towards me. From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of the Melusine, appearing frightened but unscathed.

I found myself sprawled on the floor of the Inn, completely exhausted. The remnants of the powerful Electro energy that had once surrounded me slowly dissipated, leaving me feeling vulnerable and drained. As I lay there, I could feel my body losing its ability to regenerate, and the consequences were becoming apparent. Blood began to gush from every pore, a stark reminder of the toll that the intense battle had taken on me. With each passing moment, my strength started to slip away, leaving me in a state of physical and mental turmoil.

In that moment,

Everything faded to black.

(A/N) Long chapter woohoo. I hope you enjoyed.

Also Thanks to everyone who went and checked out my original novel.