Chương 21: Narukami Island
Noctis
A soft knock resounded through the room. Slowly, I pulled open my eyes, a warm and gentle ray of sun peered through the window. Once more the soft knock echoed throughout the small wooden hut drawing my attention to the front door.
"Who is it?" I called aloud as I slowly rose from the bed and begun waddling towards the door – still I wore my tattered and destroyed clothes.
"Uhm..? Noctis? It's me Kokomi. I'm sorry if I woke you up it's just.. I've brought your clothes." As she finished her sentence I pulled the door open to greet her.
"Don't worry about waking me up. After all, you supplied a place to stay and some new clothes." I replied while rubbing a small grain of sleep from my eye.
Kokomi smiled gently upon seeing me, "Alright then. Did you sleep well?" she said as she pushed the clothes resting on in her arms closer towards me.
"I had a good sleep yeah." I responded while looking at the clothes she had given me. It was nothing extravagant but it looked practical enough for me. A tight light-grey T-shirt along with a long black over coat made of a rather thin a breathable material. The outfit also came with a pair of simple black trousers.
"Thanks if you don't mind I will just slip into this now." I said as I looked away from the outfit and towards Kokomi giving her a grateful smile. "Of course!" she quickly responded as she pulled my door shut.
---
Equipped in my new outfit I exited the little room I had been allowed to sleep in. It was an alright experience… though I felt as if something was missing.
I felt my heart sink and I held my hand to my chest, of course how could I forget… My night felt empty without my family.. I can't remember at all how we used to spend our night but I'm sure we loved each other's company..
Exhaling slowly I shook the thoughts from my mind. I can't allow such depressing thoughts to hold me back from finding them. We can have our happy reunion once we are all back together again.
With my determined goal set in stone I begun to make my way towards the shrine where I'd first met Kokomi. I peacefully walked across the rope bridges admiring the beauty of my surroundings.
A mystic mist coated the ground beneath the bridges adding an ethereal, otherworldly vibe to the landscape. Trees were scattered across the small islands beneath some with luscious green leaves and others with magical pink blossoms.
The sounds of the gentle water flowing around the island caused me to space out as I continued to admire the island. I found myself entranced not even realizing I had already made it to Sangonomiya Shrine.
"Noctis?" Kokomi's confused voice rang out bringing me down to earth once more. "Sorry I spaced out for a while." Kokomi simple giggled in response, "I too often find myself lost in the beauty of this island and that is why I must protect it and the people who have chosen to live her." Her voice switched, as she spoke out the beauty of the island she seemed calm, happy maybe even at peace. However, she become noticeably more determined and serious when she mentioned protecting the island.
"is there something you must protect the island from?" I asked curiously, Kokomi nodded and then spoke, "The Raiden Shogun's vision hunt decree."
Memories from our last conversation flashed in my mind. "You mentioned it yesterday I believe. The Raiden Shoguns is stealing people's visions?" Kokomi slowly nodded in response, "Precisely, it's a heinous crime equal to taking ones ambition."
'ambition?' I though to myself slightly confused. Once again a memory flashed, 'oh yeah. She did mention that. But why does one receive a vision when their ambition peaks? Doesn't that mean basically anyone can get a vision?' I ended up confusing myself with a string of thoughts and decided to just give up.
"So, where is this Raiden Shogun anyway." I asked Kokomi, "She resided in Tenshukaku on Narukami island." I nodded in understanding and quickly stated one more question. "How can I get to Narukami island." She was about to speak but I quickly added, "preferably today."
"I'm sure I could get someone to take you on a waverider, it will take a few hours though." I felt a smirk spread across my face, "That's fine with me can we arrange this waverider trip then?"
A worried expression found its way into Kokomi's face, "You're not planning on confronting the shogun are you? Many have tried none have succeeded." I shook my head, "No I'm not planning on fighting her I just want to try and talk." Kokomi's anxious expression faded slightly and she gave off a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Very well then, as long as you do not fight her I suppose it's okay.. but, do you not wish to eat first?" Hearing her response I thought for a moment.
'I am one of seven sovereigns' I thought pride fully, 'eating shouldn't be necessary.' "Nah I'm sure I'll be fine." I answered her with a proud smile.
"If you say so…"
---
We arrived at the shore of Watatsumi island, not far from where I had first awoke, Kokomi had so generously provided me with a waverider and Shibata. Shibata knows the way to Narukami island and back and says he can make it without having to stop at any of the other island despite the large travel time, this just makes it a smooth direct journey for me. Wonderful.
Shibata and I mounted the waverider and swiftly set sail straight towards Narukami island. He had informed me that the sail would be at least five hours and we will be trying not to stop at any of the other islands.
During our journey I had discussed with Shibata many of the places I should go on Narukami island. First of all he informed me Tenshukaku was within Inazuma city, he said to just look for the biggest building. He had also informed me that if I could not get an audience with the Shogun I should speak with the Guuji of The Grand Narukami Shrine; according to him she was a yokai kitsune.
Shibata spoke as if yokai were quite rare but I could've sworn when us sovereigns ruled there was a lot of them. Maybe I'm just being forgetful again.
We talked a lot during our sail. Shibata was very regretful about how he treated me when I had first arrived and apologized many times but I assured him he was forgiven as he was just doing his job.
Noctis – Timeskip to end of boat journey.
"We have arrived." Shibata called out.
It was pitch black and I couldn't see any city lights from the island. In fact the island seemed rather barren and empty, from where our boat was stopped I could see a ruined arch looking out off the island across the sea.
I directed my gaze towards Shibata announcing my confusion. Picking up on this he quickly spoke up. "My apologies but we must go to the less inhabited side of the island so we are not spotted by the Shogunate."
"So can we go closer to the land?" Shibata hearing my question shook his head with an apologetic frown, "I'm afraid not, The Shogun to prevent people from entering and leaving has put up a powerful storm as a barrier." With an understanding nod I responded.
"I see that's alright then, you may head off back to Watatsumi island." Before he could even register what I said and respond a surge of electro energy surrounded my form and I shot from the boat like a bullet landing next to the archway I spotted earlier.
The archway which pointed out towards the ocean garnered my curiosity. I ran my hand slowly along the stone structure and the stood under the arch looking out towards the ocean. I examined the archway for a while finding nothing special.
I began to lose interest until I looked far off towards a mountain range, floating high in above the lands freely levitating without a care in the world a structure rested. I had no idea what this structure was but within myself I felt deep wrath bubbling, out of sudden anger I flung a lavender bolt of lightning towards the structure, with a thundering boom I watched it rip through the sky towards its target until the glow was out of sight.
(First Alice's Hillichurls now Noctis' lightning… poor celestial)
With a swift inhalation, I pivoted and ventured away from the arch only to be confronted by a mountains who's peak seemed to pierce heaven. It was adorned with an exquisite array of cherry blossom trees. As I gazed up at its grandeur from its base, a captivating violet radiance caught my eye. Resting on the mountains peak a crimson structure nestled beneath a colossal cherry blossom tree.
This particular cherry blossom tree emanated a soft purple hue and possessed and enchantment unlike the rest. It had an otherworldly beauty which could captivate any who caught it in their gaze.
"That must be where the Grand Narukami Shrine is." I said aloud to myself in thought. "If I'm this close I suppose I should just head there first." I then paused for a while trying to get an accurate vision on the distance between me at the base and the building at the peak.
After a while I let out a deep sigh. "in my current state I don't think I can thunder dash that distance, not without destroying the building of something like that…"
"I guess I'm going for a hike."
I began following a long a stone path that had been built into the floor. The path up the mountain was normal only for a short while. A lot of it consisted of me making very short thunder dashes to get across gaps that would've been impossible for normal people.
"Most of the path up this mountain is in ruins!" I shouted in agitation and slightly exhaustion. "Is this even the Narukami Shrine it feels like this place got struck by lightning!' I shouted out once more as I looked down below me to a pool of purple electrified water.
"There is no way normal people can get up here..!"
After a long session of repetitive thunder dashes I had finally made it to a part of the path that wasn't ripped to shreds. This part actually had an intact stair case, a well built one too.
During my treck up the long set of stairs I had passed under many Torii gates and even a few foxes, 'I wonder how they get food all the way up here.' These signs assured me that this was the shrine, thankfully so…
I now peacefully made my way up the stairs admiring the landscapes below me. Off the shore I got views of other small islands, some ship wrecks and with my enhanced vision a good view of the fish swimming freely. From my location I was also able to make out an array of city lights and buildings. The city was relatively large yet didn't look overcrowded whatsoever in fact it look like a nice place to live. At the edge of the city resting on higher ground was a larger building which instantly I linked in my mind to nd Tenshukaku.
"So that's Inazuma city huh. The place where I will find the Raiden Shogun. It's beautiful."
Arriving at the top of the stairs I took a relieved breath as I looked upon the beautiful shrine. A wave of serenity washed over me as I felt an influx in electro energy. Every breath I took felt more energized than it ever had since I woke up.
"The amount of energy here is amazing! I bet if I stayed here for just a night or two my whole energy capacity would be refilled. Well as much as it can be without my full authority." Noticing the women staring at me in utter confusion id realized I was speaking out loud.
"I need to work on keeping my thoughts thoughts…"
(A/N) Sorry it's been a while as I said In the little update last night updates probably still won't have solid schedule because of my exams but I will definitely try and write one more this week.
In case there are people who are a bit confused this chapter and the previous one are Noctis' flashback. I don't know how long it will go on for but It basically explains what he did when he first awoke and how hes going to join the fatui.
Anyway hope you enjoyed.
Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực