Chapter 10: What we feel is a choice.
I woke up with butterflies in my stomach. Not the romantic kind, but the kind where you're extremely nervous and excited at the same time. Where you can't sit still, because you have all this pent-up energy in your body. I couldn't wait for the duel. More importantly, I couldn't wait for it to be over. When I think about winning this duel, I kinda got mixed feelings about it. On the one side, I really wanted to win this duel, not just to show that I can beat the prince at his own game, but to uphold my mother's legacy. She won, so I have to win too, but on the other side, I kind of gotten used to Prince Noctis and his shenanigans. I sighed, shaking my head. I have to win. I won't back out now because of this weird friendship thing we've got going on. I quickly braided my hair and got dressed in my usual purple tank top and blue sweat pants.
"Are you ready yet, Snow? We're going to be late," Yuna came walking out the bathroom, already dressed and heaving two bags filled with bottles of water, towels, and little snacks to eat when he get hungry. I smiled.
"Thanks, Yuna. Yeah, I'm ready," I got up took my bag from her and then we headed down stairs to the training hall.
We joined the others with a few minutes to spare.
"Good morning, Snow. How are you feeling? Are you nervous?" Cinthea asked, giving me a hug.
"No, of course not," I leveled my gaze with her. She smirked.
"Liar. You always pretend to be made of steel, but you are still human. Its normal to be nervous," She said, with flicking her blond hair over her shoulder. I shook my head, smiling.
"You know me too well," I crossed my arms, pretending to be upset, making my friends chuckle.
"Don't worry, you'll do great. You've beaten him countless times, why would this be any different?" Fay said, and before I could explain to them that he might've been holding back, Cid walked into the room, calling us to attention.
"I'm glad everybody is alive and well, and didn't obtain too serious injuries, but no matter, you all did very well yesterday, but doesn't mean you can slack of today. We'll begin with warm-up exercises, after that we'll be running drills, then block and attack, then we'll split up into groups of three where you'll one will be attacking the other two. You'll be outnumbered, but try not to be outsmarted. You'll take turns being the attacker or the defender. After that, its lunch time, and then you're done for the day. Everybody got that?" Cid nodded when chores of ''yes Captain" went up and we all moved into positions. I lost track of time when we begun the training exercises. All my nervousness forgotten about the duel.
Time passed so quickly I didn't realise we were at the end of training until Cid called us together and giving us her usual closing speech to end training. Then everyone went to the dining hall to eat their lunch.
"When do you think he's going to show up?" Thea asked me, while I was packing my things. My hands trembled slightly and I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. Its like they got an adrenaline shot, or something.
"I don't know. He said when we had our lunch break. So he should be here any minute now, but I'm not going to wait around. I'm hungry and sweaty, so if he arrives I'll be in the dining hall," I turned to look at my friends faces, shouldering my bag.
"Good idea. No point in waiting around for the Prince to decide when to show up," Fay said. Couldn't have said it better myself. We all walked to the dinning hall, and found our usual spots to eat. The food was delicious, making me lick my fingers after we were done eating.
I looked around, even though I've seen the hall countless times. It looked more like the cafeteria we had at school, with different tables, instead of one long table.
"Aren't you tired after all that training?" Thea asked me.
"Nope, like Prince Noctis said, I'm awake and my muscles are lose," I stretched my arms above my head, grinning.
The sound of clicking heels drew my attention to the door and apparently every other head too. How does he do that? Does it happen every time he walks into a room.
Prince Noctis stood in the threshold of the door, scanning the crowd, until his eyes fell on me. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and grinned at me.
"Here we go," I sighed and stood up, walking over to where he stood.
"You ready for this?" He asked.
"Of course, I was born ready," I smirked, before walking past him.
"Hey, Snow!" Promto greeted me. He and the rest of Noctis friends were there, and he smiled when he saw me. I waved. He pushed of the wall he was leaning against then something must've caught his attention behind me, because he looked past me and burst out laughing, but quickly disguised it as a cough. I frowned and looked behind me to find almost everyone standing and a few steps behind me and my friends. I huffed, rolling my eyes before crossing the foyer and entering the training hall. I can't belief they're so nosy. Nothing happens in this place without everyone knowing by the end of the day.
I could hear the others filing into the room and I knew my friends were hot on my heels. I shook my head. I put my bag down on the bench and picked up my sword. I don't go anywhere without it, especially now that I the worth of this sword.
"Are you ready for this?" I heard Yuna ask. I turned toward my friends, forcing a smile.
"Of course, I'll have you there, and everybody else watching," I nodded toward the crowd that has formed. I noticed Cid in the crowd, worry and disdain clear on her face. She caught my eye and gave brief shake of her head. I have her a look. There is no backing out now. I saw Noctis on the other side of the room talking to his friends. He caught my eye and winked. I grit my teeth, and looked away, but not before I saw his shoulders shake with laughter.
"You don't have to do this," A voice whispered in my ear, I jumped back. Oh, it's only Cid.
"I know, but I want to. Besides its not like it was my idea," I put one hand on my hip, while twirling the sword in the other.
"That doesn't mean you have to go through with this. You were always reckless, but not this reckless. Dueling with his majesty? That's a new level, and a dangerous one too," Cid whispered fiercely. I took a deep breath. She is still your captain, I repeated in my head, don't disrespect her.
"I have to do this. Its the only way he'll leave me alone," I whispered back. She gave me a knowing look.
"You could've come to me," She said.
"I do have some honour, you know. I'm not going to run to you every time I have a little boy trouble. I never did, and I'm not going to start now," This time I couldn't keep the glare of my face. She sighed, tiredly, rubbing her eyes.
"I know, but this seems awfully like the time with your mother and father. The conditions, the duel. Like history is repeating itself," Cid said, searching my face.
"I don't know what to tell you. Other than I won't fall in love like my mother did," I spread my hands, willing her to understand.
"That's not what I'm worried about. I know you're a smart girl, but doing something like this is incredibly stupid. And do you really think he'll leave you alone if you win?" She argued.
"I don't know. I hope so, but the agreement was that he'll leave me alone. I'll never see or talk to him, unless I have to," I argued back.
"He'll find other ways to talk to you, Snow. This is all a game to him. The more you push, the more he'll push back," She placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Don't do this," She pleaded. I was shocked that she would go through all these lengths to talk me out of it. Why would she talk me out of it?
"What are you not telling me?" I searched her eyes, trying to find some clue to why she wouldn't want me to go through with it. Her eyes widened and she quickly took a step back.
"Nothing. I'm just worried about you," Cid said, shrugging it off, but I knew her well enough to know that when she doesn't want to talk about something, she'd wall herself up, trying to downplay it as nothing. I learned that from her.
"You ready to begin?" Noctis stood next to me, if he noticed the tension between me and Cid, he didn't show it. I nodded.
"Yep, be right over," I said, turning my head to look at him. He nodded, giving me a smile. I started to walk away, but turned to look back at Cid. She really looked worried, her body tense. I shook my head, no point in wondering about it now. I took a few more steps before I was pulled back and engulfed in a big group hug.
"Good luck, Snow," Cinthea's voice came from above my head.
"Be careful, please," Yuna said.
"You'll do great, I know it," Thea have me an encouraging smile.
"You better win. I don't think the world can handle it, if he's ego gets any bigger," Fay said, making me laugh. I pulled back.
"You guys! I'm not off to war. Everything will be fine. Its just a duel," Laughing I shook my head, before breaking away and walking to the middle of the the room. Prince Noctis was watching me with an unreadable look in his eyes. I could also feel everyone's eyes on me, and the conversations gradually eased. I stopped in front of prince Noctis, with his hands stuffed in his pockets. I lifted a brow.
"No weapons?" I inquired.
"Don't you worry about that," He smirked secretly. Seriously, does "be mysterious and don't tell Snow anything," stand on my forehead today.
"Kick his royal ass, Snow. Show him what you can do!" Promto cheered. I had to bit back a laugh a when I saw Prince Noctis' expression. He whirled on his friend.
"Whose side are you on?" He asked, but I could hear the smile in his voice. Promto grinned.
"On the side that wins, and it helps that she's beautiful too," Promto teased and gave a wink, and then he laughed at whatever face Noctis made. I wonder if its always like this between them. So casual. Its like they don't even care that within the next year he'll be King. I wonder how long they've been friends.
Ignis walked and stopped in-between us.
"Are you ready, Snow?" I nodded yes, then he asked Noctis who said yes.
"Raise your weapons, so the tips touch," I raised my weapon and at the same time Noctis swiped he's hand horizontally and blue lines appeared, forming the outlines of a sword, crackling with electricity before it appeared in a solid form.
I could feel my eyes widen with shock. That's so cool. I wish I could do that, then I never have to carry these heavy weapons again or be worried about where my sword is, if its fallen into the wrong hands or worse. Noctis' chuckle reached my ears, and I could feel myself slightly blush because if my staring. I slipped on a mask of boredom. Pretending that I see that everyday, but his knowing smirk proved he's calling my bluff.
"Cool, huh?" He asked, showing of his new toy. I scoffed.
"Whatever," I said, rolling my eyes. Trying to look disinterested. With our swords touching, Ignis recited the rules.
"The first to draw blood, but not enough to kill, wins except when yielded. No killing allowed. Since both parties have abilities, it may be used, but not to kill, or torture. No one may step in to help. Anything unclear?" He asked, looking between us, when we didn't say anything, he nodded before wishing us good luck and to enjoy it. He then stepped away. When he was a safe distance back he yelled:
"Ready your stance!" I moved back and took a deep breath. It was so quite. I could hear the birds chirping, completely unaware of what's going to happen in the training hall. I could hear my own uneven breath. Inhaling and exhaling. I calmed my racing thoughts. Focusing on him and my goal: Winning.
"And... Begin!" He shouted.
Everything stopped only for a split second, then as one we moved, in a flash, we met each other in the middle of the half circle that formed through the crowd. We slashed and clashed and ducked. Each blow more fierce than the previous one. He is strong and with every blow, electricity would spark from his hands and sword. I knew he was holding back. I'll have to up my game if I want to beat him.
"She outsmarted him" My grandmother's voice echoed in my head.
Or maybe I can use his weakness to my advantage. I took deep breaths, trying to get my breathing under control. Noctis is good, I'll give him that.
Clang! Our swords clashed. He tried to leg sweep me, but I dove out of the way. In a second he was on me again, I barely had time to stand and block before he strike again. I kicked his knee, making him grunt and stumble back. I twirled my sword in my hand. Then rushed at him. He lifted his sword to block, but at the last minute I side stepped and twirled so that I was behind him. Then I leg sweeped him. He fell, but rolled onto his back, I lifted my sword to his throat, but without missing a beat he slapped my sword away and kicked me in my stomach. I felt the air leave my body, while I stumbled back. I gasped for breath, trying not to stumble over my own feet.
"How you doing so far?" Noctis teased, smirking. He didn't even look winded, or like he's taking this seriously.
"Perfect, and you?" I watched him like a hawk. Every breath he took, every time he shifted, I would take note. Watching his every move.
"I'm having fun alright," He said, still smirking. Fun? That's all this is for him? Is he trying to tell me I'm not a match for him? I glared at him. I'll show him what it means to have fun. I charged. Then suddenly blue sparks appeared at his feet. In a flash he was gone. I heard the electricity crackle, then I saw a blue light follow him, and wind blowing past my face. That's how I knew he was behind me. I spinned and swung at his head. He ducked just in time.
"Almost," he whispered. I recognised that mischievous look in his eyes. What is he planning? He swung at my head with his sword, but I blocked it easy, still keeping eye contact. He jumps back and... well, he doesn't do anything. He is waiting for you. A little voice in the back of my head spoke. Be careful. He is smarter than you think.
I won't take the bait. I began to circle him, gauging his weak spot. He didn't turn, but I knew he was keeping his eye on my the whole time. I'm behind him. This is the perfect opportunity to get him. But what if he expects it? I shook my head. No time for doubt. I took a leap and came at him from above. I let out a battle cry, and brought my sword down, but before I could make contact. He moved again. Blue lighting was the only clue that he was there. I struck thin air, but immediately twisted and thrust forward with a half swing. He caught my hand, twisted my arm, so that I'd drop the sword. Yelp escaped my mouth, making me glare at him. Does he really think disarming me will give him an advantage. He smirked, then started to pull me forward, I tried to scoop up my sword with my free hand, but he kicked it away before my fingers could touch it, then he brought his knee up. It connected with my nose. My head whipped back, and I'm certain I started seeing stars. He threw me forward and kicked me in the back. It wasn't a kick that hurt. I was already off balance, and he only made sure I ended up sliding on my back till I hit the the wall, with a resounding crack. My head felt like it was splitting open. Get up. I tried to will myself to get up. You can't let him win.
"He's playing with her," I heard Thea whisper. They weren't standing too far, so I could hear every word they said.
"I know, but there is nothing we can do," Fay said.
"She is getting her ass handed to her!" Cinthea exclaimed.
"You know how important this is for her. And he's not even trying!" Yuna said, anxiety building up in her voice.
"What are you talking about? You're making it sound like there is more to the story," Cinthea questioned.
"Guys, look!" A voice interrupted before Yuna could answer, something in Fay's voice made me look up. They were staring at me. Frightened and sad is what I saw in there gazes.
Drip. Something dripped on my hand. I looked down and saw it was blood. Another drop dripped. I don't understand. Where is this blood coming from. Frustration entered my bloodstream. I don't know why. I'm just feeling very angry right now. I lift my hand to see where the blood is coming from, and realise my nose is bleeding. Why is my nose bleeding? Then I remembered him hitting my face with his knee. I can't belief I left my face open like that.
"First blood!" A voice yelled far away. I know he is close, but he just feels far away. Then it sinks it what Ignis just yelled. First blood. Just like that? I lost just like that.
I looked up and saw Noctis walking toward me. Satisfaction glinted in his eyes, and he couldn't keep that stupid smirk of his face. A nose bleed. That is how he won. Something sinister moved and grumbled, inside me. I could feel it. The unfairness of it all. I hated that word, because it made me sound like a brat. A kid that didn't get her way. But he can't win because of a nose bleed. Anyone can do that.
No. He didn't win. I won't let him! I stood up and face him, but it wasn't me standing up. Or it was, but it didn't feel like it. I saw everything, but it was like I wasn't in control of my own body. Everything seemed dulled. Like it had to go through a pane of glass before I could hear it.
And let me be the first to say, it sucked!
***
Noctis:
He watched her. She had confusion on her face, before her futures rippled into anger. Cold anger.
Yeah, okay he admits it was a cruel thing to knee her in the face, making her nose bleed. Its technically cheating, but he wants, no needs to train with her so badly. He can't stop thinking about her. Her laugh, her warm smile. When he and Cid heard that she and the others were fighting this massive demon, and losing. He feared the worst. And Cid's face didn't help matters. She was obviously scared out of her mind. She rushed out of his father's study, apologising on her way out. His father then gave him permission to go see of she is okay, one the condition: That he'd take his friends with him. Of course the story about his friends meeting him for a drink was a lie, but he had to come up with something that didn't involve making him look like he can't defend himself.
Then the other thing is Promto. Prince Noctis loves the guy like he would love a brother, but Promto always did know how to make him jealous, and he knows exactly what Promto is doing. Making him jealous over Snow. He probably wants to see how far Noctis can be pushed until he swings at Promto, or something.
Noctis heard Snow cracking her head against the wall and he winced. The last thing he wants to do is hurt her. That's why making her nose bleed was so ideal, but for some reason he has this feeling that she won't see it that way.
Snow stood up, while he was walking towards her. He wanted to if she was okay, but when her eyes met his, he stopped dead.
Her eyes were glowing. Not the happy kind of glow, but the terrifying kind. A few shrieks went up in the air, when they saw her eyes. Coldness took over Snow's eyes. The blue in her eyes disappeared completely, taken up by the green dots in her eyes, that seemed to grow. Her eyes that was once beautiful and promised difference was gone. It was replaced by something cold, angry and ancient. Even with the different masks she would slip on, could not have taken away the warmth that Snow had in her eyes. The love she shined, that beckoned many people to just take a look. To just delve deeper into her existence. All of that was gone.
"Noctis Ragnor, the son of King Manuele Ragnor and Elisabeth Ragnor, you are playing with something you do not understand. You try to force fate, bend it to your will, but it will not be bended. You harm, so no harm will come to you. You break and destroy to rebuild yourself. There is no honour in cheating, and no cheating in honour. You wanted a duel, now you will have one!" It was Snow who spoke. Her voice, but with a hundred other voices, echoing through the room. It was her mouth that formed the words, but it was not her words that came out of her mouth. Something else was speaking through her. Something else is inside her. He was frozen in shock when she began to rise from the ground. Her hands and feet surrounded by a glow of red. The same red that appeared when she was using her telekinesis.
What the hell is going on? Wind burst in through the doors, surrounding her. Objects went flying, being swept in by the current. Everyone screamed and tried to run out the door, but his friends made it to his side in a second. Then her friends were on him.
"What have you done?" Yuna -he thinks is her name- screamed. She looked frantic, her eyes wide and scared, and her hair blowing all over the place. She was visibly shaking, so were all of Snow's friends. Then something connected with his cheek. Hard. He realised Cinthea just slapped him. His friends stepped in front of him, but he pulled them back.
"Don't!" He said, flexing his jaw. That was a pretty hard blow.
"I deserve it," He said, making Thea scoff, or was it Fay?
"Yeah ,You do! You deserve that and so much more!" Her face was almost as red as her friends hair. He opened his mouth to reply, when Cid came up to them, holding her hands over her face.
"There is no time to argue! We have to get her to calm down!"
"But how? This has never happened before!" Cinthea exclaimed.
"I know, but we have to try something. I've sent for her grandmother, but until then, we have to keep this under control," Cid raised her voice to heard over the howling of the wind. Her friends nodded, stepping very carefully closer.
"What can we do?" Noctis asked.
"Seriously? This is your fault! Now you want to help?" Thea said. He was now pretty sure it was Thea. The one with the red hair is Fay.
"Thea, enough. Focus on Snow," Cid ordered before turning to him.
"I think it might be best if you stand back. I mean no disrespect your majesty, but I think it best if you stayed out of her way. She seems to be the most angry at you right now, which makes you the main target and I can't let anything happen to you, but if our attempts don't word, then I might need your ability to drain someone's power,"
Alright. I understand," He said. He knew it was the right thing to do. Stay out of her way, but he felt responsible for this. His friends knew it, he knew it, that's why they haven't bothered giving him a speech saying its not his fault. They agreed a long time ago, that they shouldn't coddle him, if something is his doing, he needs to know it, and face it.
He triggered something, but how and what?
"Snow!" Yuna yelled, she took a step closer, but for some reason was pushed back. It happened with the others too.
"They're hitting a force field, of some sort. Like the wind mixing with her telekinesis. Its creating a barrier and when they get too close to it, they're pushed back by the wind," Ignis observed. He was watching, calculating.
"Snow, snap out if it!" Cinthea cried. "This isn't you!"
"Stay out of this! This doesn't concern you," Snow/not Snow, yelled. A gust of wind threw them all back.
Yuna stood back up. She was coughing, but she had a determined look on her face.
"I'm not giving up on you! You're my best friend, Snow. Revenge was never an option for you, if you lost yourself. I know you know it. Please just come back to us. Now I know how important this was for you. To win, live up to your mother's legacy, but not at the cost of losing a part of yourself. He cheated yes,-" she threw a glare over her shoulder at Prince Noctis, "but we all saw it. And you will come back from this, I know you will. Remember what I told you. Life would flip you upside down, but you'll look it dead in the eye, and say: That all you got? Because that is who you are," Yuna stood straight, never taking her eyes of her best friend. Thea and Fay went to stand next to her, each a hand on her shoulder, but Cinthea had this bewilderment look on her face. Confusion, anger, and betrayal flickered across her futures, followed by disbelief.
When Noctis looked back to Snow. Her eyes dimmed a little. The wind settled down a bit, but it was still surrounding her. Something caught his eyes. When he looked closer, he saw tears dripping down Snow's face. He took a step closer, that feeling to protect her and take her pain away overwhelmed him, but a hand on his shoulder pulled him back.
"Don't. You've already done enough damage as it is. She's calming down, don't make her angry again," Promto whispered. Tension and anger underlying his tone. Noctis felt shock ripple through him. Promto never acted like this before. Is it possible there is more to his teasing. Can he maybe have feelings for her too? Dread coursed through his body. If that's the case, their friendship might be in trouble.
"What is... happening... to me?" Snow gasped. Her voice raspy and strained. It's like she struggling with control.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Snow. I wanted to, but I didn't know how, but I promise, we'll explain everything to you, and we'll help everywhere we can, but you need to regain control, Snow. You are in control, not that force that exists inside you," Cid said. She's the first that stepped closer. Snow cocked her head.
"You... knew?" She asked carefully.
"Yes. We knew," Cid said. Pain and regret was laced with her words. The wind picked up again, and Snow's eyes burned brighter again. She floated toward Cid. Her golden brown hair floating in strands above her shoulders.
"And you didn't think it necessary to tell me. Its just like with my parents, you lied to me about them, so why wouldn't you lie to me about this. You've held back so many things from me. What else is there?" Snow yelled her voice joined by many others again. Cid looked down, then Snow grabbed her throat, forcing Cid to look up.
Noctis jolted, he tried to move forward again, but other hands stopped, again. He heard her friends scream her name. They looked petrified.
"Answer me!" Snow screamed. The wind blew through the windows and doors, making the creak. Noctis saw cracks beginning to form in the upper windows.
"They need to calm her down, otherwise she'll destroy the whole building," Noctis murmured.
"What would your parents think if they saw you like this?" Yuna yelled. Tears glistening in her eyes. The wind seized. Snow's grip on Cid's throat loosened, and her eyes dimmed. Just like that? Noctis thought. He looked between Snow and Yuna.
"Yuna is right, Snow," An elderly woman entered the room. She had a kind face and looked completely calm. This must be her grandmother, Noctis realised.
"Your parents loved you with everything in them, and they would hate to see their daughter be consumed by hate and anger that we caused," Her grandmother had this sad look in her eyes, and it looked like she was carrying the world on her shoulders. Or maybe just a really big burden.
Snow dropped her hand and the glow disappeared completely, making her stumble into Cid's arms.
"You're okay, you're okay. I'm so sorry," Cid murmured over and over again. Her grandmother walked quickly over to Snow. Her friends were already at her side. Noctis shrugged of his friends' hands and walked over. When he got there, Snow's ears and nose was bleeding, and her eyes was rolled back.
"Is there anything I can do? Please there must be something. This is all my fault, I'm so sorry," He realised he was rambling, but he couldn't stop. Her grandmother layed a comforting hand on his arm.
"No need to apologise. Like everything else, we knew this would happen one day. I had hoped she would be older when this happened, she is only seventeen, but fate chooses its own path. No one can force it. Nevertheless, I think you and your friends should go home. Its been a long, and stressful day," She smiled warmly at him. It eased his heart a little, but not much.
"What is happening to her?" He asked, glancing at her.
"She is only becoming the woman that was prophesized many years ago, when her parents first found out they were pregnant," A fond look entered her eyes when she looked at Snow.
"What do you mean? Did you know her parents? I thought no one knew who her biological parents were," He was confused to say the least. It seems there is more happening behind the scenes than someone would think.
"Lift her up, we need to take her to her room," He heard Cid whisper.
"I think it's best if you went and ask your father. He'll explain everything, but for now I must to take care of my granddaughter," She smiled warmly before fallowing Cid out the training room.
"Wait! What does..." He began but she was already gone, "my father have to do with this," he finished lamely. He pushed a hand through his hair, before turning to face his friends. Neither of them met his eyes. He sighed.
"Come on, let's just go," He stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked out. He didn't need to turn around to know his friends was behind him. The sun was just setting. This day has not gone as he expected.
"Are we not going to talk about what happened back there?" Promto's voice piped up. They were halfway back to the palace.
"Not now, Promto," Gladiolus said.
"When then? Are we just going to ignore what he did back there?" He argued. No one said anything. He huffed.
"No? Thought so. He gets away with everything," Promto grumbled. That was the last straw. Noctis rounded on him.
"What is your problem?" He hissed. Promto took a step back, surprise written clearly on his face.
"You've been on my case since the duel, and I don't understand why. Do you have something to tell me?" He glared at his life long friend.
"Yeah, I've got something to tell you! Do you have any idea what you just did? You heard what Snow's grandmother said, whatever you did, wasn't supposed to happen until she's older!" He yelled.
"You know what else she said? Fate happened. Yes, I admit I was at fault at the duel. What I wanted came in the way of doing what's right. Yes, I know I made her so angry that whatever was inside her, came out on a violent rampage before the right time, but fate wanted it that way. We're all tools in this universe, the only choice we have is how we deal with it," He yelled back. They were right up in each others faces, breathing hard. He refuses to back down on this. Normaly he would storm off at this point, but he refuses to cower in the face of his actions, this time. Ignis stepped between them.
"Enough! I thought we agreed that girls will never come between us," He looked between them, then turned Promto.
"Yes, you are right. What Noc did, was not right and led to unforseen events, that could've been avoided, but there is nothing we can do about it. The important thing is that he knows what he did wrong and is prepared to make it right," Ignis told him. Promto didn't say anything for a moment, but then he nodded, before he stepped around Ignis and held out his hand.
"I'm sorry man. It was uncalled for," Promto looked sheepish and guilty. Noctis smiled, his anger forgotten. He pulled Promto in for a hug, clapping his shoulder.
"Its alright man. No need to apologise. We're all on edge, and I'm sorry for the part that I played in it."
"I'm not the one you need to apologise to," Promto pulled back, "are you going to apologise to her?"
"Of course," Noctis snorted, "what kind of man would I be if I didn't. I'll do it tomorrow. Let her rest," Noctis said. They walked back to the palace in comfortable silence.
He really got a hiding today. The words that Snow said, or whoever occupied her body during that time, really gave him something to think about. They sounded so ancient and wise... And then his father... what role does his father play. He obviously knows more than he is letting on. Then again, when his father said she is a promise to an old friend and that we should look after her, he should've dug deeper to find out what's the connection between them. Something bigger is going on here, and he is going to find out what it is.
Nobody's eyes glow like that. And here he thought her eyes was just exceptionally beautiful, but that green in her eyes means something else. At that moment he knew, she is something else. She is not just a girl with powers. She is so much more.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Redfalcon30
Redfalcon30 Hey guys, this is my first novel as you may have noticed, and I really am working on my spelling and trying to make it more interesting, because I personally think it's kinda boring, I even thought about trying to delete the book, but then I gave it a second chance, because, as you may have got the feeling, this is my first time writing a long story, but you never know until you try, right?
But if you have any suggestions please comment, I am open for improvement.
Thank you.
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