Chapter X

Nigreos Noctis stood in silence just under the loft and beside the multiple tables of food as his dark brown eyes carefully and meticulously observed his surroundings, making sure to put most of his attention on Mallicent, Vesh, and anybody wearing the blue and black armor of the castle guard. However, wanting to blend in and not appear suspicious, the young man was nursing a goblet of red wine and softly swaying his head to the slow and gentle melody that the violins and harps were playing alongside the beautiful voice of the woman singing. The song was an old piece from the Age of Expansion titled “The Gardens of Omaruo”, the writer of which had been forgotten simply because the individual had been apprehended and executed by the Iijis of the time for treason.

The accusation came from the fact that the piece was a critique on the violence and brutality committed upon the natives of the realm of Kaira during the massacre known as the Kairan Genocide, its lyrics describing how the peoples and cultures of such a beautiful realm had been razed to the ground by the rabid greed of the Ijirians. The “Gardens of Omaruo” were in reference to the yet untouched magicless realm of Omaruo, the songwriter stating that if the violence of Ural Iiji were to be left unchecked, then the purity of Omaruo would be lost just as Kaira’s was. The song became popular among the factions opposed to cross-realm domination and when the king heard of it, he declared performing it to be treasonous. Upon Ural Iiji’s defeat by his rebellious niece, the law banning it was struck down and it was allowed to spread throughout the Empire as a reminder of what happened when realms were crossed—that the “gardens of Omaruo” should always be left to thrive, free from Ijirian intervention.

Even after so many centuries, it was still a beloved piece that was practically a requirement for any upscale event such as the ball, and since it was a slower and more majestic piece, the excited and boisterous dancing had died down, only to be replaced by handfuls of couples waltzing out on the floor. Nigreos had no particular opinion on the song one way or another, but he could easily appreciate its historical significance. Taking a brief moment to clear his mind, he closed his eyes and allowed the music to wash over him and calm his beating heart, wanting to be at the top of his game should anything happen that evening.

The gardens shine with color.

And the flowers bloom so small.

But all the creatures cower down,

Before the devil’s maw.

So come ye noble heroes,

That stand so proud and tall.

Protect the pure Omaruo,

From the King within his lavish hall.

The flames of greed will light the night,

That vibrant world will fall.

We failed the Kairan innocents,

We must not fail them all.

“Hard to keep an eye out when you’re sleeping on the job, you know?”

Nigreos chuckled softly at the teasing comment, and when he opened his eyes and glanced down to his left, Abigail was gazing at him with an amused expression, to which he merely shrugged and turned his attention back to the ballroom around him.

“Well, perhaps I simply had such strong faith in you that I knew I could take a moment to catch a few extra seconds of sleep,” he teased back. “And of course, I couldn’t help but appreciate the band’s talents. The singer’s voice is quite soothing.”

Abi nodded softly, leaned her back up against the pillar behind her, and smiled, her gaze briefly shifting off to their right where the band stood atop a small, elevated platform. “Do you like this song, Nigreos?”

“I suppose I can’t say I dislike it,” he replied after taking a momentary sip of his drink. “But I’ve never really been one to appreciate music. What about you?”

“I love it.”

The tone in her voice suddenly became sweet and excited, and when Nigreos once again turned away from his observation duties to look at her, he found her beautiful face beaming with one of the most enchanting smiles he had ever seen, leaving him completely and totally enraptured.

Truly, I’ve never met anybody quite like her. She’s just so…captivating.

“I honestly couldn’t tell you what in particular I like, but for some reason, I always get really emotional whenever I have the good fortune to listen to it,” Abi went on. “Maybe it’s just the message that speaks to me so much. I’ve spent my life wandering around the north in the hopes of helping people where I can, and at the end of the day, that’s what this song is about: Helping the realm of Omaruo and protecting it from the tragic fate of Kaira. Does that… Er, does that make sense?”

Seeming to realize that she started rambling, Abi’s cheeks turned a bit red, so wanting to assure her that she was fine, he grinned and gave his honest response.

“I think that’s the most ‘Abigail’ answer you could have given.”

She frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean? How exactly was it an ‘Abigail’ answer?”

“How was it not one?” he countered. “Abi, if I can say anything for certain about you, it’s that you prioritize the greater good and the safety of the world over everything else, even yourself. Like you said, you’ve spent your life caring for people who can’t care for themselves. You worked your ass off to create that spell to fight the plague in the north to the point that you did a better job than trained mages in the damned Citadel, all because you wanted to save people. Hell, even just the other day, you stopped and gave a few coins to that man on the street for no reason other than because you felt like it.” He shook his head and eyed her with a look of impression. “You live for the benefit of others, and ‘The Gardens of Omaruo’ is a call-to-arms to protect the magicless of that realm who couldn’t protect themselves in face of Ijiria’s clear superiority. So of course you would like it! Had you lived in the era of the Kairan Genocide, I’m sure you would have joined Oralia Iiji’s rebellion without hesitation. There’s no doubt in my mind about that.”

Abi turned away and awkwardly fidgeted with her fingers. “You…give me too much credit, I think.”

“And how many times have you said that to me these past few weeks?” Nigreos laughed. “Too much credit? Please. Give yourself more credit, Abi. Let’s not forget who it was that Princess Ilirianna was interested in when she picked the royal team, cause it certainly wasn't me. At the end of the day, I probably owe my position on this team to you and Ryokumo.”

“Okay, that’s definitely not true,” she protested with a huff.

He gave her a dubious look and cocked an eyebrow. “Yeah, that so? In that case, shall we take a look at who spent the most days of travel in her carriage on the way here, cause if I recall correctly, the score was somewhere around four-to one in your favor.”

“W-well, that might be so, but it’s, well…”

She trailed off, clearly unable to come up with a response, so Nigreos took the opportunity to repeat something he had said to her the night of orientation.

“You truly are a magnificent and talented mage, and if those rumors are true about Master Grunly wanting you as his apprentice after you graduate then you are going to more than deserve it. When the time comes, I believe you could be one of the greatest Masters of Nature this Empire has ever seen. And it’s for that reason why I—”

Nigreos cut himself off, having gotten a little too caught up the moment, and realized that he was about to say something he still wasn’t sure how to put to words. Unfortunately, however, his inability to quickly cover up his mistake only alerted Abi to the fact that he was holding something back, and since she was clearly embarrassed by all of his praise, she immediately jumped at the chance to turn the conversation on him.

“That's why you…what?” she pressed slyly. “You’re suddenly a bit red, Nigreos. What were you gonna say?”

Nigreos quickly reached onto the table beside him, grabbed a few small cheese squares and crackers, then shoved them into his mouth before shrugging as if to say he couldn’t answer her with his mouth full.

Abi rolled her eyes in exasperation and laughed. “Real mature, Noctis, but unfortunately for you, I’m perfectly willing to wait until you’re done enjoying your cheese. We’ve got all night, after all. This party’s only just begun.”

Nigreos stuck his hands in the pants pockets of his suit and turned away, shifting his eyes over to where Rotana Vesh was deep in conversation with a few men and women who, based on their extravagant and rather over-the-top clothing choices, must have been Hiriech nobility. Yet, this was simply a ruse to make Abi believe he was returning to observation duty. The truth of the matter was that he hardly processed anything Vesh was doing, for he was deep in his own thoughts, having returned to a debate that he had been struggling with for a couple of weeks now.

I know that, at the end of the day, I struggle to reach out to other people and ask for help. I prefer doing things myself—to rely on my own abilities and intellect to solve problems, but I know that I can’t let my pride stand in the way of protecting my little sister. Abigail is the one Neah needs, and by hesitating like I have been, I’m only putting her life in further danger. If Neah dies because I can’t put my pride aside, then what kind of failure of an older brother would I be?

Swallowing the cheese and washing it down with the rest of his wine, Nigreos Noctis turned away from Vesh and back to Abi, only to find her gazing up at him with a warm and expectant smile, as if telling him that she hadn’t been exaggerating when she said she would wait the entire night for him to voice his thoughts.

I’m not one to believe in a higher power. Gods and fate have always just been lazy and pathetic excuses to explain coincidence and chance…but through one method or another, I’ve been provided with a woman who has the skills that Neah needs—a brilliant healer who can solve problems the Citadel cannot. I need Abigail. Neah needs Abigail, so set your pride aside, Nigreos Noctis, and take advantage of this opportunity!

Allowing the terror he felt when that letter from Noctalus arrived in his dorm room, informing him that Neah had nearly succumbed to her disease, wash over his body, Nigreos took a deep breath and lowered his voice so that only Abi could hear him.

“I need your help,” he told her, and to his genuine surprise, she didn’t even hesitate in her response.

“Hmm? Really? What do you need? I’ll do what I can.”

Determination entered her beautiful eyes and he once again bore witness to a mage who lived for the sake of others. She didn’t have a clue what he planned to ask of her, but he could see in the way she held herself that she didn’t care what he needed.

“Well, you see…” he began, stuttering through his words. “I first have to ask if you know anything about the magical condition known as Hell’s Shadows?”

Abigail cocked her head to the side, thought for a moment, then shook her head. “No, I don’t. Why? What is it?”

“It’s a disease specific to users of dark magic,” he answered, fighting back the emotion that was already seeping into his voice. “It has only ever appeared in children who have a parent that consistently uses dark magic, so the Noctis family is quite well acquainted with it. The short version of what it does is that the child is unable to contain dark mana, and so it leaks from their cells and begins ravaging their body, destroying organs and tearing skin as it tries to claw its way to the surface. Nature magic can close the wounds caused by the mana, but they cannot fight the mana, and eventually even healers cannot do anything to save the afflicted. The victims have never once lived to adulthood, and they often die somewhere from the age of ten to the age of seventeen.”

“That’s…terrible,” Abi muttered, her features strained with concern. “And there’s no known cure?”

“There isn’t,” he confirmed. “The Noctis family is the only prominent family in the Empire that uses dark magic, and we can go generations without ever seeing a case of the Shadows. Given this, the Citadel and any Noctis lords that don’t have children with the disease don’t bother researching it. At the moment, there’s nothing we can do to save them.”

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The young woman’s lips drew tight, telling Nigreos that she had already figured out why he had broached this particular subject. “And this…isn’t a generation where it hasn’t appeared? You’re already eighteen, so then…your sisters? Which one…?”

“Neah, the youngest,” he whispered, softly enough that he feared he might have been drowned out by the music and the chatter. “She’s a strong girl, and she’s already lived to thirteen, but if something isn’t done, she will not have many years left. I’ve done my best to help her, but there’s only so much I could do from Noctalus.” He clenched his teeth in frustration at his own powerlessness, seeing the beaming features of his sister in his mind. “It’s the truth that I want to live up to the expectations of my heritage, but the real reason I sought to be on the royal team was to use the resources that Ilirianna Iiji and the Citadel could provide to find a cure and save her life. But lo and behold…” He glanced back at her and smiled. “Out of the north comes a healing prodigy—one who has already cured something Erika could not. If anybody can help me save my sister, I think it’s you, Abi. And that is why I…” He paused for a second then forced himself to spit out the words. “I need you. Would you please help me?”

As much as he admired Abigail’s determination, after hearing what he said, he wouldn’t have been surprised if she told him she couldn’t do it, but as stunned and fearful as she looked, the confidence in her eyes didn’t waver.

“I will do everything I can,” she stated firmly. “I don’t know a lot about dark magic, so I worry I may not be able to help her, but I promise you, Nigreos, that I will use every ounce of ability in my body to save your sister’s life. You have my word.”

It was an uphill battle. He knew that from that start. Hell’s Shadows had killed dozens of Noctis over the many centuries, and in all of that time, a solution had not been found. Saving Neah had always felt impossible, and that hadn’t changed, but despite that, Abigail accepting his request gave him an almost overwhelming sense of relief, and he realized he had been holding his breath.

“Th-thank you, Abi,” he replied weakly. “I… That means the world to me.”

She chuckled. “Of course. Healing people is my life’s work. And how could I ever turn down my beloved teammate’s request, especially when it was the first time he showed me a little bit of his vulnerable side? Ever since that night at The Den, I’ve had a feeling there was more to you than you let on, and I’m glad you trust me enough to tell me this.”

“I do trust you,” he said. “Even without a sixth sense, I know you’re the type of person that can be relied upon.”

She reached out and gently placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch soothing and welcoming. “And even with a sixth sense, I know you are a good and noble person, Nigreos. My sense assures me of that.”

Her sense…? It…trusts me?

From the moment Abigail confided in them the day they arrived in Hiriech, Nigreos had been afraid to ask what her sense saw in him. Despite knowing it was silly, he couldn’t deny that he was scared she would see him as dangerous or evil—that the monstrous nature of his heritage and his magic would set her sense off and push her away. Album had said that Abi’s sense trusted her, and Ryokumo had gloated for a good day and half when she told him he was trustworthy, too, but Nigreos still couldn’t ask.

But here we are… She trusts me… Thank god…

“You know, I get that we’re on observation duty, but this is a celebration,” he began softly, extending his hand out to hers. “We should be allowed to relax just a little so, would you dance with me, Abi?”

She smiled warmly, shrugged, and took his hand. “Sure. Besides, it’ll give us a closer look at you-know-who anyway, so technically the others can’t be mad.”

“Ah, yes, good point,” he agreed.

With that, they set their goblets down on the table and moved through the crowds of people standing between them and the dance floor. The “Gardens of Omaruo” had already ended, but another slow song that Nigreos didn’t immediately recognize had taken its place, so upon reaching the floor where a handful of other couples were swaying to the beat, Nigreos gently placed his hands on her waist as she rested hers on his shoulders. They were close but not as close as he would have liked, yet he still took great pleasure in the fact that they were getting to dance at all.

“There is one thing I do want to ask, by the way,” Abi murmured, briefly glancing away from him as she spoke.

“Yeah, what is it?”

“You say…?” She stopped and furrowed her brow, seeking the best way to say whatever was on her mind. “You say that you needed to join the royal team so that you could have the resources to save Neah, but your father is the Master of Darkness already, right? Why can’t…he just help his daughter? Why does it have to be you?”

Nigreos hesitated, his mind going blank for a moment before he quickly shook his head. “He’s a busy man. Because he’s the Master of Darkness, there’s always something keeping him occupied. But for me, I still have an abundance of time, so it’s only natural that I handle it. I’m sure he’s trying his best. He hasn’t forgotten Neah either. I know he hasn’t.”

Abi frowned and he half-expected her to say something else, but she simply nodded and continued to dance. Nigreos grinned, wanting to enjoy the moment and sear it into his memory.

Being so close to her, her beauty is only more obvious to me. Father would kill me if I ever asked her to be my partner, but do I really care? I don’t think I do, but that being said, I shouldn’t cause tension between me and him until I know for certain that it’s what I want. I’ll spend more time with her and get to know her better, and once I’m confident…

I’ll take that next step.

***

From her spot up on the room’s eastern loft, Album couldn’t help but cock an eyebrow as she watched Abi and Nigreos move onto the dance floor and pull in close to one another, seeming to be having the time of their lives, and she couldn’t deny that she was a little bit jealous. She would have loved to take the hand of the young man next to her and lead him down to the dance floor as well, but when she glanced to her left at Ryokumo Caeli, his eyes still hadn’t shifted from where Mallicent Malloway sat at the tables in the back of the room. He didn’t even seem to have noticed that Abi and Nigreos had moved from their post, his attention solely focused on the task at hand. Album couldn’t say she was surprised. Ryokumo had already been determined to solve the mystery of Hiriech before, but after nearly losing his life to the red knight, the ordeal had become personal to him.

“At all costs, I refuse to let anything happen at Aeyir’s birthday! I do not know what these bastards are plotting, if anything on that particular night, but regardless, nothing is going to get past me!”

Album sighed and smiled enviously at the confidence that Ryokumo had displayed when he made such a declaration. He almost died, but he got up and brushed himself off like it was just an ordinary day.

I can’t say I would have been able to do the same, she internally remarked. Ryokumo’s such an inspiration. If I had been in his place, I’d still be shivering with fear. Some Luz I am.

“Earlier in the carriage, Mr. Caeli was very firm in his stance that I could rely on you despite your condition. In fact, he was so confident in his declaration that I could have believed the two of you were childhood friends… As your teammate, Ryokumo Caeli believes in you, so he is the one you should try not to disappoint. Understood?”

Recalling what Ilirianna had told her in the bath that night, Album began fidgeting with her fingers as she leaned on the railing and watched the partygoers below. She didn’t want to disappoint Ryokumo, but she just couldn’t get the memory of her failure at orientation out of her mind. It was constantly nagging at her, and the fact that even with that in mind, Ryokumo still spoke in her favor to the princess told her so much about his character. She wanted to know why he said what he said, but she had been struggling with how to ask him ever since.

But had that knight killed him, I never would have had the chance to find out. This is our first private moment since then, so this is my time to ask. Though, I guess it’s not completely private…

Glancing over her shoulder, she could see tables scattered around the loft, occupied by nobility and guild masters as they mingled with one another, swiping food and drinks off of the plates of the passing servants. There were a few guards against the wall keeping watch, but as she looked around, she found that nobody was paying them any attention, so she took a deep breath and decided to jump right in.

“Ryokumo?”

Without looking away from Mallicent's general direction, the wind mage responded. “Yes, Album?”

“This is…kind of an awkward question, but I was wondering something, and I wasn’t sure how to ask, but here we are, so…er…um…” Cursing herself for trailing off like an idiot, Album shook her head. “The princess told me that you assured her she could rely on me. Why? I failed you when we dueled Yuahl and Pafran, so why would you say such a thing? I just…don’t get it.”

Ryokumo chuckled and shrugged. “Is it really not obvious? I told the princess that because I wholeheartedly believe it.”

“But why?” she pressed again. “What have I done to give you that impression? All you’ve seen from me is a girl who blasted her whole arm off because she couldn’t cast a simple light spell. I don’t—”

“False!” Abruptly cutting her off, Ryokumo finally averted his attention from Mallicent and turned his brown eyes towards her. “Yes, your performance during that battle wasn’t ideal, but you are incorrect in your belief that it is all I’ve seen of you. Skill in battle does not define a person’s worth, and in your eyes, Album, I see a person who desperately wants to improve herself. I see determination and I see intelligence. If you put your mind to it, you can surpass this handicap of yours, I’m sure of it. You just get disheartened too easily, that’s all.”

“Er, b-but…I… Huh?”

Album could only stare at him, dumbstruck, for a few seconds, and Ryokumo must have found that amusing as he started to laugh at her.

“Is it such a shocking concept that I would have faith in you?” He smirked. “Come now, Album, you are a brilliant mage in the making. You have potential. You simply need to reach it, and when you do, you will be just as useful to Ilirianna as anybody else, if not more so. I truly mean it. I believe in you.”

He believes in me?

Those were not words she often heard in her life, for her father had never once believed in her. She was an embarrassment to him and to their name, and that had never been more true than orientation at the Academy. Eko was the only one who ever expressed faith in her ability, but she always brushed it aside as him merely saying that because he was her brother. Ryokumo, however, had no reason to lie to her. Perhaps he might do so to get close with the Luz family, but with Ilirianna now helping him, using Album would be practically pointless in achieving his goals. He had every reason to verbally cut her down and blame her for failing, but he had not done such a thing.

“Thank you,” she muttered with a smile she was sure looked dopey and stupid. “I just…don’t know what to say. I hope I don't disappoint you.”

“You won’t,” he stated. “And with that said, if you need any help from me, I’ll be glad to give it. I obviously don’t know much about light magic, but I’m quite skilled at controlling my mana, so if you ever want to train together in one of those private sparring rooms in the library, I’d be more than willing to do so and give you a few pointers.”

Her eyes went wide. “You would? You mean that?”

“Of course! You’re my teammate and my friend! I’ve got your back, Album, through thick and thin.” He grinned broadly. “I will always be here for my friends, understand?”

For a moment, she allowed the thought of spending some alone time with him, training and honing her skills, and she felt her cheeks turn a bit red at how appealing that scene was.

Damn it, Album, don’t think about that…

“You know, I might just take you up on that offer,” she told him, absently twirling her finger around a loose strand of her hair. “I’d love a few pointers.”

He nodded firmly. “Perfect! Then when we get back, I’ll reserve a room and I’ll—”

Ryokumo went abruptly silent as he gazed down at the lower floor. When Album turned to see what had caught his attention, she straightened up as well. Mallicent Malloway had gotten up from the table where his family and the princess were sitting and was casually making his way toward the doors on the other end of the room.

“He’s on the move,” Ryokumo uttered, and to Album’s apprehension, an excited smile crossed his features, telling her he was about to say something that she would probably not like.

Sure enough, that’s exactly what he did.

“I’m following him.”

***

Having never particularly liked large celebrations, Nakoma Taurus felt himself growing uncomfortable with the ballroom, so he was grateful when Ilirianna beckoned him over and asked him to go find Yoral Malloway, who had apparently been acting strange before departing for some fresh air.

“Just go talk to her and make sure nothing’s wrong. Abi didn’t get any bad readings from her, so it’s probably nothing, but for the sake of caution, I’d still like to be sure. The team and I will keep an eye on things here for the moment, so do you mind?”

More than happy to get out of the stuffy room, Nakoma assured her that he would handle it before making his way out into the corridors and heading for the front gates of the castle, which weren’t too far away. He picked up his pace and emerged out into the night air, the stone terrace just before the doors giving him a beautiful and stunning view of Hiriech down below, but to his surprise, Yoral wasn’t there. He could only suppose that she must have gone elsewhere, and since that meant he would probably have to check one of the courtyards or gardens, he grimaced.

However, he couldn’t help taking a moment to approach the terrace railing before leaning against it so he could bask in the sight of the sparkling lights of the city flickering, with fireworks exploding in the night sky above him, blasting different colors into all directions. It was supposed to serve as the people’s way of celebrating their future lord’s coming of age, so if he narrowed his eyes, he knew he’d probably be able to make out the crowds enjoying the show. Unfortunately, the popping quickly began to grate on his ears, and since he didn’t want to be gone from the ballroom for long, he knew he’d have to hurry up and find Yoral.

That being said, the others have that place under close observation, and I don’t think our enemies would try anything so bold as to attack when there’s so many people around.

Yet, he couldn’t deny that there was an unnerving feeling in the back of his mind, and since the last known instance of the combustions had been in the city, he was rather calmed by the fact that Hiriech didn’t seem disturbed.

Though, Nyx is down there, so if anybody explodes tonight, she’ll handle it. I’ve taken my moment, so I should get moving.

But just as he was about to head back into the castle, he sensed somebody coming up behind him and quickly turned around, straightening up to face the newcomer.

“Oh, so sorry, I didn’t realize there was somebody else out here. Didn’t mean to startle you.”

Nakoma relaxed his muscles, sensing only vague traces of mana in the man, indicating that he wasn’t a skilled mage at all and didn’t have to be feared. He was somewhere in his late thirties, with pitch black hair that fell down to his back in a singular braid and a lean physique that was visible in the rather tight blue and black suit he was wearing. The only odd detail were the rounded spectacles resting on his nose, a rare sight among nobility given that poor eyesight could be healed by even a novice nature mage.

“Don’t worry about it,” Nakoma assured him. “I was actually just heading back in.”

The man’s eyes went wide for a moment as the Master spoke before an intrigued smile crossed his features. “Forgive me, but are you the Master of Fire, Nakoma Taurus?”

Nakoma narrowed his eyes, finding himself oddly off put by the individual despite his weak mana signal, and as he focused on that signal, he realized that it wasn’t normal, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on what exactly made it abnormal.

This man… Who is he?”

“I am Nakoma Taurus, yes. What of it? Can I help you with something?”

The man quickly waved his hands and shook his head. “Oh no, I was just curious. I thought I recognized you from when you and the royal team entered the ballroom, and I must say, it’s quite an honor to be in the presence of a Master of Ijiria.”

Placing his hand over his chest, the individual politely bowed his head.

“Pleased to meet you, Master Taurus. My name is Uma Miyon, and if you do have a moment, I was wondering if I could pick your brain about something?”