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year 5, quarter 3
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If I live to see the seven wonders I'll make a path to the rainbow's end
Times erases all wounds or so they say. True thanks to the woman on the mountain, Crowe, most of the damage of her killing blow had been trended to. Now the wound had cleaned up a bit, a large gnarly scar ran from Aera's left shoulder blade diagonally down to her right hip, the tip of which could be seen from the top of her dress. The hurt and fear still clouded her heart like a shroud, but her determination for answers and pride would find the Oracle walking through the village chin held high as she begin to explore her new surroundings. None she asked knew of Castle Caeulm, or of the fates of Somnus or Ardyn, most asking if she either had hit her head or had a wild imagination which lead to her hobbling away in indignation.
Still that was the best she could manage for the time being: questioning and hobbling. Aera made slow progress of while one day traveling through a village a merchant had kindly dropped her off in after seeing her struggle down the road. "Not a place for the weak," he had murmured before he and his chocobos bustled down the country road leading her words drowned by wagon wheels and dust. She hmphed loudly before making her way into the main street using the walls of the building as support.
"Aint' gonna get far going on like that, miss," a voice came from behind her in the mostly empty street. Aera turned slowly to man crouched over approaching her with a look of pity in his eyes. She shot him a quick reproachful glance but softened quickly. She would not succumb to this sudden suspension and anger that being struck down brought out in her. "I," she began but the man talked first holding out a cane to her. "Here, I've been watching from my window for some ten minutes and you've not made it half block. Such a shame no one lends a helping hand no more. Tsk." he spat on the ground which Aera wrinkled her nose at but said nothing as she took the cane.
"That was my late wife's so you best be taking care of it." he smiled softly at the memory before continuing on. "Where abouts you trying to get to anyway?"
Aera almost breathed the castle's name before stopping herself. Perhaps the commoners would know it just as, "The Capital, but sir I could not take your wife's heirloom." she replied feeling a blush come to her cheek as she weighed herself on the thing finally finding a good balance before trying to hand it back to the man.
"Pish posh. She's dead ain't getting anywhere with it now," he said as Aera looked at him her brow furrowed at the bluntness of it. "Anywho, she'd be mad as all hell if I didn't help out a stranger. As for your other problem, well miss, you're a long way from the capital. Up head you can go along with some caravans heading to Sonora. Probably best that ways not big on visitors as it was, but from there you could probably find your way to Torensten the fastest." He hacked and spat again but Aera did not show her disgust again this time.
Aera practiced with the cane for a few steps finally placing it in her right hand to help balance out the limpness in that leg. Aera smiled at the man digging something out of his ear. "Your kindness will not go unnoticed by the Gods." The man blinked at her "Oh you still believe in those old fair tales, ah someone's got to. You best be on your way if you want to leave tonight." Aera nodded as the man pointed and gave direction and made her way getting used to balancing with cane but found she was indeed making better time with it. Perhaps since these people didn't know of her or the Caelums, perhaps they also didn't know of the six either. Still she hoped they would lend an ear to her after what she had done if not for her sake for others. She would whisper a prayer of protection for the kind man as she made her way to Sonora.
Aera could contain herself as the city of lights loomed closer. A tear came to her eye as she gasped holding a hand to her heart. It was just like the myths and legends of Soheim. Was this that same city? Sonora the real name for this majestic place? A city far beyond anything she or anyone could ever dream of. What magic caused the things in the sky hovering above and the gate of living steel they passed through as she was found to be not a threat and allowed passage inside with the rest of the caravan. Once left to her won devices after giving thanks and prayers to all who had helped her, Aera over-excitedly began walking through the streets.
The buildings shone with lightning contained in all sorts of hypnotic colors. Her eyes widen at the beasts that strolled with speed through the streets. Oh she just had to tell.... no one. She had no one to tell about this. For the moment her heart sank as an image of his soft listening face passed through her mind's eye. How many times had she rambled to him about the places they had visited. She gave a small laugh. "Even though you're not here, I you're still listening," she spoke softly to herself before pressing on.
She needed to know what magnificence she had stumbled upon. If Sonora was truly Sonheim had she just been sent back through time, and what for? And if not then she still needed to figure out where and why the gods had sent her here instead of into the heavens. Wrapped up in her own thoughts, she bumped roughly into someone losing grip of her cane and stumbling to the ground. She groaned as her knees skinned against the pavement and she tried her best to grasp for her cane. "Pardon," she said not looking up until she could find the cane she had been entrusted. "It seems my wonderment got the better of my senses."
The City of Sonora, where Caius had found himself once again. Last he was here, he had first met a drunken woman claiming to have once been a Princess, or was it a Queen? And soon after had met the very madman that had plunged his world into darkness. How quickly Caius had gone from empathy to a desire to stab someone through the torso was almost amusing to him to think back on. All these emotions, all these feelings... All these swirling inner things that Caius had long repressed and held back, now back and seemingly more fierce than ever. He still put on a tough, stoic face, sure... But Caius knew that he was a different man now. And he had changed even still from the man he was in Sonora last.
Before, he had just been beginning to even comprehend who he had become. Now he knew who he was. Or at least, he had a better idea now. He had begun to accept that this was what he was turning into... And to become the best he could be from that instead of lamenting the circumstances of why. Last he had been here, his trip had ended without finding the dragon he had been hunting. It had moved on, though Caius made notes to look for the hunt of another next time. Though he wasn't as excited to face another as he once was... Not with Vordun around.
Speaking of, the little lizard had grown to the size of the smallest of horses. The long trip to Sonora had been a good test of endurance for Vordun as he made more and more strides each travelling day in his flying capabilities. Perhaps when he was bigger, he and Caius would travel the skies together, if he got big enough. Perhaps the next time they went to Sonora, even... They would be able to get here on dragonback. Vordun was already about as fast in the air as a chocobo was on the ground, so it would be a much faster trip next time.
But for now, this trip had been a good way to begin their practice.
In present though, they had made the very long trek to Sonora. Having stashed the cart and chocobo in the stables, Caius and Vordun had booked a room in the inn and a hot meal to celebrate. He would be stocking up on Cup Noodles again while he was here, as well... And Caius wanted to look into any kind of technology here that would benefit him in future assignments, provided it was something that would still work back in Torensten. Last time, Caius had been far too shell-shocked and overwhelmed to explore Sonora very much, and hadn't taken the time to look around. Now, his eyes were wide open and curious of all that was around him... Being who he was now in a city very much like the ones from where he had grown up was... Well, it was surreal to say the least.
Of course he had some explaining to do about the lizard hanging out with him. He couldn't use the excuse that Vordun was a unique breed of dog anymore. He was getting way too big for that. Caius' reputation as a mercenary had spread far and wide, but compared to Provo and Torensten where he caught stares in the street, in Sonora he was still a relative unknown. He still caught stares alright, but for a completely different reason. Not out of recognition, but because at his side was a creature that resembled the monsters that had been terrorizing Sonora for some time. "I think it's a horse" Caius had lied to an inquiring guard. "No clue the breed, I bought it in Torensten because it looked strong. I'd heard a rumor the stable-lads in Torensten were breeding this unique horse meant to be able to run a mile a minute, so I couldn't help but venture out and check it out. I must say I'm impressed so far" Had been the lie he had spun to get out of an investigation. With how far Sonora was from the rest of the world and how sealed off from trade and other things they were, odds were most residents and guards from Sonora wouldn't even know enough about Torensten to call him on his bluff. And they were so distasteful about the other cities, that he was sure it wouldn't surprise them if they were attempting to breed strange horse things.
The fib would get him by until he was more accepted in Sonora and could get away with a dragon, at least. Nobody questioned him in Provo or Torensten anymore, most knew who he was at this point over there. Here.. He had to play a new set of cards. For non-guards, though, it seemed Sonora was no stranger to unique beasts wandering the streets. So Caius figured he could probably get away with this for a little while yet.
Either way, the duo wandered the streets and after so many years away from a city this large that wasn't in absolute ruins, and without the crippling overwhelming feelings of being somewhere this close to home after so long, it was just... A marvel. Caius couldn't help the lump in his throat that told him he felt that comforting, familiar presence here. Yet it didn't feel as homey as it once did when he was smaller. He had spent the last few years in the far less advanced cities of Provo and Torensten, and now this place, even if it felt nostalgic... Felt alien to him now.
But the feeling of wonder was there... Perhaps he would stay longer this time. Celes Chere was holding up the Dragonblades fort just fine back in Torensten. He missed her already, but he knew she would get on fine without him. She was the strongest woman -- no, the strongest person that he knew.
But he would be ousted from his thoughts when he collided with someone. The sound of the cane clattering to the ground made him realize the depth of just what he had done, and Caius would immediately rush forward with the Warp ability. Of course he was just narrowly too late, as the woman hit the ground right before he could grab her.
Letting out an exasperated sigh at letting his guard down and not acting quickly enough, Caius would kneel down and do his best to help them up. He had figured he had just knocked down a frail old woman and potentially caused them serious harm. There were disadvantages to a man Caius' size, and this was one of them. They would apologize, but he shook his head.
"No, no, mine did as well but I should have been watching" Caius spoke calmly, trying to reassure them as he helped them to their feet, ensuring they got the cane back in their hands. Vordun was staring her down, thinking that she had knocked into Caius on purpose and his glare was of a creature sizing up a predator that might attack at any moment. "My size, I need to be more mindful, I really am sorry that I-"
Just then he got a look at her face and his mouth hung agape a moment when he realized that it was not a frail old woman after all -- but a very much young woman who by the looks of it was seriously injured to the point of needing a cane. Caius' mind was racing with reactions and thoughts and how to process this information. A lump formed in his throat as he tried to find words -- further apologies, questions about her condition, anything. But only one word made its way past his lips as he would move his hand up from the cane he had just handed her, and onto her shoulder. The pure practical side won out.
If I live to see the seven wonders I'll make a path to the rainbow's end
Aera grunted as she overextended her body as she searched for the cane. The people on the street seemed not to care for her condition as they stepped over her or around her. Still, a voice did call to her in apology. "Well, I," she tried to argue as a creature appeared before her staring at her as though it wanted nothing better than to eat her whole. She squinted back at it trying to figure out what quite it was. She wouldn't go down without trying to defend herself if that's what this beast wanted. What a creature like that was doing roaming the streets of such a pinnacle of mankind was a question she would have to ask later.
As she stood her ground on the ground keeping eye contact with the thing, she had hardly noticed the man kneeling down beside her. Aera turned to look at the man who was still about his own fault as she felt the cane slide back into her head. "Well," she tried to start and rise before the man clasped her on the shoulder. Aera looked to the shoulder and to the man her forehead scrunching in confusion and slight bit of unease. Just what was he doing. As he spoke though, she felt the roughness fade from her wrists and legs from where she fell until it almost just felt as though she had decided to lie on the ground for a quick rest.
Aera held her look of perplexion as she balanced herself with the cane before standing up slowly and pointing at the man. "What was that?" she asked examining her wrists and rubbing her knee to feel no scuffs or marks. "How did you do that?" Her head tilted quickly to look at the beast. "And what beast stalks the streets ready to prey upon the fallen?" Aera hmphed loudly as her questions came out a mile a minute her finger thrusting forward before the force caused her scar to protest and she sucked the pain through her teeth causing her to pause.
A small blush spread across her cheeks knowing exactly what was happening. How often would she go on a rant only to be humbled by someone or something. "Please forgive me" she remarked not quite able to look the man in the eye. "it seems the unfamiliar surroundings are causing quite the stir in me." With her free hand she straightened her circlet to calm herself before looking at the man once more. "Even if my smile might have faltered, the gods' would not have at seeing your kindness." Aera had finally calmed down although she kept glancing at the animal to make sure it would not bite. Still she couldn't just stand around here all day when she had things to find out."If you could afford me one more kindness, pray tell where I can find the tomes of history here. There is much I'd like to learn of this marvelous place."
Cure didn't seem to repair her leg, annoyingly, or whatever was causing her to limp as such. Which likely meant that something was broken. Which Caius didn't know if Cure was going to be able to fix, and the Glaive would give an annoyed expression in return. When she would ask what it was, he blinked a few times. Was she not familiar with healing magic? "Cure" Caius answered. "It's healing magic. I was hoping to fix whatever was causing you to limp so, but... It looks like I'm either not skilled enough in it, or there's some deep-seated bone damage that may just need recovery time."
Aera's clear suspicion toward Vordun only appeared to further agitate the dragon, which began to growl at her the minute she called him a beast. Caius would furrow his brows, narrowly abstaining from glaring at her himself for that. Keeping his calm, he would place a hand on Vordun's head to calm him. "That is my companion, Vordun. He probably thinks you intend to do me harm" Caius would remark in turn. While combat training, as Vordun was not able to use language verbally he had instead begun to learn to read Caius well, as was the case here. His being worried shortly after the collision had given Vordun the mistaken impression that he worried of a threat. Though he also seemed to understand that her tone was somewhat of an aggressive one as well when she referred to him, prompting the growling.
"I doubt he liked you calling him a beast either" Caius pointed out. He kept it calm and curt, considering she likely didn't know Vordun was domesticated. But his eyes held the biggest "oh hell naw, nobody insulting my baby" kind of look that one could give. Still, he didn't hold it against her for very long considering the aforementioned circumstances. Just so long as she didn't do it again.
Once her rapid-fire of questions was over, he remembered she had asked how he did his magic. She had begun apologizing for how her circumstances had led to an outburst, but Caius just shrugged it off. He supposed it was no big deal, he'd shut himself up in the inn the first time he got here. Her next question came before he could speak again, though, so he answered that first.
"I have no idea, personally. We just rolled into town ourselves" Caius responded. "As for my magic... My abilities come from my service to the Ancient Kings of my world, before I was brought here" He explained. It was a question he was asked often, so it didn't bother him at all to explain that he'd once pledged himself to some kind of magic King way back when. "Vordun and I were just sightseeing ourselves, so if you wanted to come along and look for the library, it beats us wandering aimlessly by ourselves. And I want to try again to fix your wounds, if that would be alright with you."
If I live to see the seven wonders I'll make a path to the rainbow's end
Aera tilted her head as the man explained his healing magic to her. Aside Ardyn's ability to cure the Scourge and bring healing, curative magic was a still primitive thing in Eos as they found tomes from the ruins of Solheim on how to mix ingredients to heal wounds from both minor to almost major. Aera pursed her lips as he explained he was trying to cure her of her scar and if he cold try again. She touched it with a sad smile, "Your kindness is endearing, and I have no doubt of your skill. But," the image of her jumping in front of Somnus' blade played in a rapid loop in her mind as she felt it hot and irksome at the touch, "this wound may not heal at all." Did she deserve for it to?
"Then what would you have me call him, this Vordrun?" Aera pouted trying to cross her arms but having trouble doing so while using her cane. So it seemed the creature was his companion much like a chocobo or a pet. Perhaps it might even be both. The way he looked at her could've have been a mirror of her own when she was upset so she let the matter slide as the reflection chastised her tone. as they began to walk as she tried to maintain the man's pace still getting used to the crutch as her aid.
"Your world?" she asked as a puzzle piece snapped together in her mind. Perhaps this was not Eos. Had the gods decided she was unfit to stay on Eos even in the grave. Her brow furrowed at the idea as the lights above glowed with a preternatural light unknown to her. She wondered what magic or technology could produce such a thing and still held on to the slightest hope that this could be Solheim in all its glory. "If I could find the information I seek," she explained the cogs in her mind already on full steam, "I could perhaps confirm or deny if this is my home or not."
As they walked, Aera put her fingers to her temple and a soft laugh accomapnying it, "Pray forgive me, sometimes my words and action proceed my manners. I've not introduced myself. I am Aera. Aera Mirus of the House Fleuret. And you?" Aera held out her free hand her hand curved down for the man to meet if he chose.
Caius frowned when Aera would note that most likely, her wound wouldn't heal. "Have you seen a proper physician?" Caius would ask. "I'm still learning how to use Cure to its fullest, so it may just be that I do not hold the skill at present to heal something so deep. But someone better at it might be able to make it work" He spoke up. "If you're new to Sonora, we'll make a little detour to a physician if we can find one. If its a matter of money, I'll pay for it, don't worry about it" He promised, giving her a gentle smile. "I'd rather part with a bit of gil than see you hobbling about when you're still young and trying to find your way around here" He remarked, his smile turning into a light grin indicating the last part was meant in slight humor. Her slight in regards to Vordun before seemed to be a thing of the past at this point, though when she asked about what to call him, complete with pout and everything, he quirked a brow.
"Vordun" Caius responded. "His name is Vordun. I've raised him since he was a hatchling" He explained as he would look toward Vordun. "Vordy, she's not going to hurt anyone. Put your teeth back in" He remarked toward the dragon, who would stop growling and settle down, suddenly seeming far more docile than before. "Forgive him, he's puppy friendly usually. I think you just gave him a scare" He spoke toward Aera then.
She inquired about the "my world" thing, and Caius wondered for a moment if she was a rare native to Zephon, or if she'd simply lost the memory of her own world. Most people he had met here came from somewhere. Some without their memories. "I come from a world called Eos" Caius responded. "I lived in the kingdom of Lucis, in service to their King. And yourself? Did you come from another world, or are you native to Zephon?"
She didn't seem sure herself though, saying something about needing to confirm or deny if this was her home or not. He let that slide. The woman would finally introduce herself though, and Caius would stop to look at her.
"Fleuret..." He mused, recognizing the name from an archive he'd read. The Oracles were dead by the time Caius had joined the Kingsglaive, but he'd seen some mention of Lunafreya's demise while doing his research in the Citadel of Insomnia after joining. But the odds of there being a connection here was slim, so he shrugged it off. Either way, he would smile and extend his hand to grip hers - gently yet firmly. "Caius Ignis of House Dragelion. In Zephon though, I'm just a mercenary, so please just call me Caius. And of course, the overgrown lizard is Vordun, my companion."
If I live to see the seven wonders I'll make a path to the rainbow's end
"A what?" she would ask Caius asked about her wound even more. Although she did like a bit of attention this was not the attention she wanted. She tried to straighten her dress to cover the scar grimacing as her fingernails caught on it. She shook her head as he would offer to see this 'physician' person and pay for it, "No, I can't allow you to do that for me. I should be deep in prayer to the Gods instead of roaming the city, but perhaps they can forgive me once more as I find out what I must." She smiled sadly as she looked to the sky still trying to understand what she was doing here. Perhaps this was what awaited beyond death just a cruel rehash of life somewhere far away?
She would once again look down at the creature as it seemed to quiet itself at its master's command. "I've never encountered such a," she stopped as the word beast hesitated to pop from her mouth once more, "animal before. But if you say you've raised from a babe, then I will believe in its innocence and goodness." Although she was hesitant to touch the thing, she did it give it a sort of strained smile as the trio delved deeper into the city looking for the archives.
"Eos."
Aera stopped dead in her tracks as the man would comment where he was from. Her breath stilled as he would talk of serving of the Lucis king. The rest of his words were drowned out as she hurried to cut him grabbing at his hands both for balance and a desperate need to know. Aera looked up into his blue her own pleading for the truth. "Eos?" she whispered as tears began to form. Her hands shook ontop of the man's as a million thoughts and images crossed through her mind. "Who took the throne?" The tremble was spreading to her whole body now as she tried to stiffen only to cause her scar to protest such a posture. "Did Somnus after he struck me?" she touched her shoulder. Surely this man should know the answer if he claimed he was Eos and served the Lucian family. "Or was Ardyn able to take what was adorned to him by the Astrals?" Aera couldn't contain it any longer she began to weep falling into the man as the sobs racked her. To cruel would it be for others to experience this shared fate as her.
Caius shook his head. "If its about money, you can pay me back later if you absolutely have to" He responded. "But your health is absolutely the most important thing right now. I couldn't forgive myself if something worse happened due to my own negligence."
But everything changed when he said the word Eos. The woman's demeanor, her tone, everything changed in a snap as she grabbed at him. Brown eyes widened in surprise as tears began to streak down hers, and Caius looked absolutely bewildered and confused as she bombarded him with questions. "Slow down, slow down" Caius asked, worry beginning to grow as he could tell that she was rapidly growing in anxiety. And with that wound, judging by the way she walked, the way she was trembling was going to make it worse. As if on cue, he thought he noticed a fidget as if she had aggravated it but was trying not to show it. Or maybe it was his imagination?
But his head was spinning too. This woman had suddenly accosted him with questions the minute he mentioned Eos and Lucis, an indication she was from his world. Okay, he got that much. But she talked about the throne, if Somnus or Ardyn had taken it and Caius was just even more confused. And he was worried that she was going to make the pain worse and he wanted to get her to a physician, but she was also beginning to visibly descend and that made him even more worried. And then she suddenly burst into tears and began to weep into him. Caius looked around wide eyed and frantic, looking like a deer in the headlights. He didn't know what to do. With the girl from before, Ashe, yeah she was upset but that was... Well, it was different. He wasn't used to this, whatever this was.
He only knew one person that had been shown to handle this sort of thing even remotely well.
What would Celes do? What would Celes have done here? He wasn't sure. Maybe she'd have said the right thing, yeah that would probably be it... That seemed to be what Celes was good at. Caius... Not so much. He let out a low growl in frustration. In particular, he was frustrated at himself. Why did he have to be so damn useless here? He didn't know what to do, he felt useless and helpless for not knowing how to help. She was injured and now she was distraught and Astrals knows what else. And he had a ton of questions in his head all while he tried to wrap his head around what she had asked. Why couldn't he help her? Why couldn't he heal her? Why couldn't he do either of these things?
Vordun let out a whimper and nudged his head onto Caius' leg, indicating he was able to sense that Caius was distraught. Caius looked to Vordun a moment and spoke softly. "I'm okay Vordy" He promised before turning back to Aera, who had a death grip on his hands still. He was no Celes, but the least he could do was try.
"Hey, hey... Come on, let's get you to uh... To uh..." He stammered out as he looked around quickly in hopes of something convenient popping up. There it was, a restaurant with outdoor seating. It would do. "Come on, I'll try to explain what I can, but those are some loaded questions and we can't have you standing here all day on that leg" He requested, not knowing what to do but to lean into her a bit to provide some semblance of comfort. "Please... Please don't cry, you're going to keep straining, you're going to make the wound worse" He practically begged, his eyes giving a pleading look as he stared into hers. He didn't know how to handle this, he didn't know how to make this better as much as he wanted to. He squeezed her hands that still held his again, not knowing what else to do. "Come on, we need to sit down, let you rest, let you... Let you..." He trailed off, taking a moment to regain his own breath when he realized he was having trouble with it. He almost missed when he wasn't an emotional wreck himself. "You're gonna be okay. Let's just uh... Let's just sit down and I'll tell you what I know" He requested, taking one of his hands back a moment to reach over and try to wipe at least a tear or two away. Was this what people did in those books to make people feel better? He was pretty sure, he didn't know if it'd make him feel any better, but did those books have any reason to lie? Either way, it was all that Caius had to go on, so it would have to do. After that, using the hand that still had her, he would gingerly pull, not too hard, until they reached the chairs and he prompted her to sit down as he sat at the other side of the table.
Ordering a drink when the waiter would no doubt come around - mostly just to give them time to talk without forcing her to stand - and offering to pay for hers if she wanted one, he took a minute to ponder her questions. He decided on what to say after a bit, and did his best to figure out how to say it.
"So here's the thing..." He trailed off, scratching his head. Vordun had stopped to rest beside the table, chin on his front legs. "The regent I served was Noctis Lucis Caelum. I believe the King before him was King Regis... Hmm..."
Caius thought on it a moment longer. This all didn't add up, but if it'd at least possibly make her feel better, he would try. "My Lucian history is a little skewed, admittedly, I only had about two years to go through the archives in the palace on my spare time. The only Lucian King that I know of named Somnus would be the Founder King" He admitted, looking her in the eye with a quirked brow. He remembered that she'd said this Somnus had struck her. Not very befitting of a Lucian King. "But that was hundreds of years ago. Yet I don't recall any Lucian royalty named Ardyn period..."
The realization hit that this news was likely going to upset her, even if it couldn't be possible that this woman was from Lucis hundreds of years ago... Could it?
"I don't recall any fights for the throne in the history of Lucis, aside from the Empire's attack that brought Lucis to heel. But that was during the reign of King Regis... And no Lucian Kings by the name of Somnus or Ardyn were involved. Not to mention that was almost fifteen years ago."
He studied her face. She didn't look all that old. No, she couldn't be that much older than he was. Which made this whole thing more confusing.
But there was Aranea Highwind... A full grown woman when Caius was only an early teenager, who seemingly hadn't aged a day on Zephon. He hated to say it, but he couldn't put it past that this woman was pulled from another time as well as another world. Aranea hadn't aged a day, his own King didn't recognize the face of the Glaive that had disappeared while at his defense, and neither did his retainers. And as he'd found out from asking questions after the meeting with the King, the Oracle was here and alive as well, somewhere. Shit was crazy. He couldn't put anything past... Well... Anything. But her questions didn't line up with any Lucian history he knew either.
This still wasn't adding up, and he stared at her a moment longer before asking a question of his own. "Are you sure you lived in Lucis?" He asked. "Maybe I'm misunderstanding and you meant a different throne somewhere on Eos? I'm sorry if my conclusion was made in haste. If you can explain a bit more, maybe I found something in the archives about other kingdoms and just don't remember well" He spoke softly. "It's been a few years, but I'm sure if you mentioned something I recognized, it'd come back up."
He hoped he could help. He really did. Maybe there was an Ardyn out there that had taken a throne somewhere in her absence after coming here and he could give her what seemed to possibly be a measure of closure? Deep down he doubted it, but he could hope, right? He stared at her hopefully in wait for an answer.
If I live to see the seven wonders I'll make a path to the rainbow's end
It had been sometime since she wept so violently. Even then it had been in the soft intimate moments when she thought that the gods had forsaken her, when their decision seemed as though it would never come. To break down like this was against her need to remain stoic and steadfast, and she could feel her face redden even more as embarrassment set in. Still the confusion and loss of everything muddled her inhibition, and she continued to cry nodding while the man talked and as the man would lead her away from the sidewalk and into a sitting area where she carefully adjusted herself wincing as her scar prickled and contested having to move.
Aera recoiled only slightly as Caius would brush away some of her tears, but it caused her to come back to her senses slightly. "I must look a fool," she said a slight smile brightening her face once more instead taking a napkin to her puffy eyes, "To let emotions take over so violently in front of a stranger. Not very becoming of the Oracle is it?" Aera would force a laugh as she sat the napkin back down. "I guess hearing of Eos was a jump start to too many emotions. Please enlighten me with what you know, Caius." When the waiter would approach she would simply ask for a water.
"Noctis?" she would question back the name unfamiliar to her as well as the name of his predecessor. She looked skeptical as he spoke of the Lucian history but her eye lit when he spoke of Somnus as the founder King and not having known Ardyn. Could the man really be from a future time in the world. Or perhaps. Just perhaps.."Excuse my sensitive question, but have you passed or found disfavor with the gods? Could this place be made by the Astrals as a reprieve for our spirits, a place of judgment for our sins and virtues? Or perhaps this is where Bahamut puts those who have displeased him." It would explain things why they seemed to have different versions of history.
Aera allowed the man to finish his questions and explanations as the waiter arrived back with his drink and her water. She took a deep long drink letting the coolness sting against the rawness of her post cry throat. She sat the glass again on the table as she thought of how best to tell her events.
"Lucis Caeulum" she began covering one hand with the other on the table, "the house had won favor from the Astrals and the other families fell in line as they protected Eos from the daemons that plagued it after the fall of Solheim. The gods favored this house to build the kingdom of Lucis and unite the land against the spread of the blight." Aera paused waiting but a moment as she took another sip of water. "Two heirs were chosen by the Gods as possbilites for the throne: the first Somnus Lucis Caelum and the second his brother, Ardyn Lucis Caelum. The gods proclaimed me Oracle and it was I who would be given their decision when the Crystal would deign one worthy. I was transported from my home of Tenebrae to move to the Crystal which the House Caelum had built their castle round.
"Years passed as the Crystal remained dormant and silent. I grew to know the brothers well as I lived in the castle awaiting the call of the gods. Somnus lusted for power asking evermore of the Crystal's decision. His decisions curt and absolute." Aera stopped and let herself remember the pyres of bodies. The agony and screams of those infected and not pierced the air causing her to shudder at the memory. "Ardyn though was kind and gentle. He bore a great power in that he could cure the blight from the infected and heal their hearts." Aera pondered if she should tell Caius of their relation deciding it was best to do so. "If only to explain my actions I think it is privy that I grew close to both in a way, but Ardyn made me his fiancee as the many years went by."
"And then it came. The god's decision and my blunder," Aera looked down to thr ground the shame spreading through her once more. Would things have been different. Would she still be in Eos or would fate have unraveled int the same course of events. Had the gods known what she would have done before she had. Either way Aera knew she needed answers for now and not to dwell on the past. "I was forbidden by the gods to reveal to anyone their decision before the coronation. Still I had grown close to Somnus and believed in his love for his brother, so I told him in confidence that the gods had chosen Ardyn as their Chosen King."
Aera waited for the man's words of criticism and revile to come at any moment. The people were devout and to know that their Oracle had blasphemed the god's demand demanded nothing but condemnation from the and rightfully so. Still she persisted, "When it came time for Ardyn's coronation, Somnus staged a coup planning to usurp the throne. Ardyn refused to bow down and the two fought for the throne. I ran towards them trying to stop the fighting, but my words did nothing. It was when Somnus would have killed Ardyn that I placed myself in the way of the fatal blow," a quick touch as her scar seemed to tinge in agreement and remembrance. "The last I remember fore waking in this place was the face of my love as I slipped out of consiousness.
Aera let the story hand in the air for a minute letting the man sink in the information. "I deserve not you forgiveness for disobeying the gods. I just hope you'll provide me with answers although it seems I don't deserve them. If Somnus did take the throne, the same one that took the throne in your history, I did not realize his thirst for power would go so far to erase his brother's name from history itself." Aera looked down again not raising her eyes as she waited for the man to respond.
She claimed she must look a fool, she had said and Caius shook his head. "No, no, you're fine" He promised, giving her a gentle smile. "I don't mind, its all good, you're-"
The word "Oracle" stopped him when he realized she'd said it. He stared at her a moment, all the little alarm bells starting to ring in his head but that thought was lost for the time being as he had begun trying to dig through his knowledge of history. Once he had finished, Aera would indicate she didn't know Noctis, but...
"Excuse my sensitive question, but have you passed or found disfavor with the gods? Could this place be made by the Astrals as a reprieve for our spirits, a place of judgment for our sins and virtues? Or perhaps this is where Bahamut puts those who have displeased him."
Caius shook his head with a sad smile. "We all have skeletons in our closet, Aera" He spoke softly. "But there are too many people that are too good, far better than me, who do not deserve to be here if it were as such. I have scoured this land far and wide... And while I've met some bad apples, there are people that do not deserve any sort of judgement. There is a particular woman amongst my number, one that was part of my company before I returned to this city when we worked together for a job... She's a damned saint. Chosen by the gods of her world to deliver it from a threat called Sin. How she ended up here, I don't know... But there have been things opening up in both our world, as well as hers, that have pulled people in. This is not a place of judgement from our gods... And instead, it seems this world is an in-between point for all worlds. I was brought here at random while protecting the King from an assassin, in my instance."
He decided to leave out that Noctis was here -- though had no recollection of him. He didn't want to burden her with that information right now. Instead, when the drinks arrived he would gingerly sip from it while he listened. Her history lesson was... Enlightening, honestly, but also incredibly horrifying. The Founder King, Somnus... Was a backstabbing, jealous lout that was willing to betray his own blood for the crown. And this woman, Aera, was a witness... And the first Oracle. The partner of this Ardyn Lucis Caelum as well. Which would have made this whole thing a much bigger mess for her, reliving it all now... He hurt for her, but didn't speak until she was done.
Ardyn... Betrayed and erased from history... Shortly after spending much of his time using a power that cured a blight from people... Hmm...
She had called her decision to reveal the decision of the Astrals her blunder. It was definitely a blunder, especially when she had known about his desire for power. But love clouded judgement, he had heard... And she was only human. Oracle or not. But to hear she had died... Interesting. She was the second person he had met who had been snatched from Death's clutches and brought here. It made him wonder if that was the case for everyone here, and they just hadn't realized they'd died, the others... Had Caius been killed in that battle? He pondered the idea for a moment. It was very possible that he'd been killed, and perhaps he had taken Cortez with him.
No... He hadn't killed Cortez. He had almost done so, but he'd never plunged Lonoaw into him. Gods, he wished he had though. This was not a place of the afterlife... This was a very real and living place, and Caius' brushes with death since were a testament to that.
"I deserve not you forgiveness for disobeying the gods. I just hope you'll provide me with answers although it seems I don't deserve them. If Somnus did take the throne, the same one that took the throne in your history, I did not realize his thirst for power would go so far to erase his brother's name from history itself."
She lowered her head after that then, hanging as if waiting for judgement. Caius blinked once, then twice at the pause. After that, he just let out a sigh. He may have known of the Astrals and were awed by them... But he wasn't religious enough to care if she disobeyed them because she was human and made a simple mistake. God knows he'd done worse things, even if he hadn't wanted to.
Instead, he reached forward and took her hands in his, squeezing them again as if that was all he knew for how to comfort her.
"You're only human" He spoke softly, looking her in the eyes. "Don't fault yourself. Somnus would have likely staged that coup regardless once it was known that Ardyn was to be made King."
The name Ardyn kept tapping at his consciousness, as if he was on the cusp of something... But it didn't hit him, not yet.
He took a moment to exhale, composing himself. This had been a bit of a hard, bitter pill to swallow, knowing he'd served a kingdom with a founding as bloody and dishonorable as that. But he didn't regret serving Noctis either.
"Noctis isn't like him" He promised. It was all he could think to do, to give her some confidence that Lucis had at least found itself with a virtuous King eventually. "He is kind. And gave me a place of belonging and something to believe in when I needed it most. When the Starscourge went from a plague to something that threatened to engulf our world, he rose to face it even if it nearly cost him his life. He was a King that I was very proud to serve... And a King I would serve again were I back in Lucis. Lucis is in the best of hands... I promise you."
He pondered a moment what he knew of the founding of Lucis, as he released her hands. Her testimony had made him question the accuracy of many of his readings. "By what I know of the history of Lucis, the Starscourge was the name of the plague that took hold of it during its founding times. The cause, an immortal, plague-bearing monster named Adagium, was sealed away by the Founder King Somnus to ensure it never plagued the people of Lucis again. At least, until Adagium escaped and took human form as Chancellor Izunia of the Niflheim Empire. The Starscourge re-surfaced thanks to this monster and eventually killed the Oracle of my era, before unleashing the starscourge in a form that plunged our world into an eternal night that lasted for ten years - bringing daemons who dwindled our numbers and forced us to take refuge in the final remaining settlements that could support light to keep them at bay."
He let out a sigh. "What it caused people to do, I lost everything. I lost my family when I was a child, and was forced to fight to survive for a decade. But then Noctis came, and with the Astrals and the power of the Ancient Kings at his side, he slayed this monster and ended the Starscourge for good. Then he set out to rebuild Lucis with his Kingsglaive, like myself, at his side."
He held out a hand and his blade materialized in his hand in the form of a brilliant blue glow -- with Caius holding onto the blade and holding it horizontally as he placed it on the table. "The power of the Kings of Lucis... Bestowed upon them by the crystal. A power that the Lucian Kings blessed by the crystal can wield... As well as those they feel are worthy. A power I hope I have wielded in a way that would make them proud in turn" He spoke as the blade disappeared and he dropped his hand.
He scratched his chin a moment, quirking his brow as he peered at her. "But according to your testimony, I heard nothing in it about a monster... Only the Founder King betraying his own flesh and blood that was actively healing the sick. Strange... But if there was no Adagium, then what caused the plague to return?" He inquired. "What was the monster that Noctis slew? I fought those daemons in Insomnia to clear the path, that was no fabrication."
And what was the monster he had come face to face with the last time he had come to Sonora?
