#ffxv DotF | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

savage-rhi · 2 years

Text

Immortal Shield Chapter 24: Rampage II

**DM or comment if you want to be tagged in updates on tumblr

**To read previous chapters, hit this link

Tagging: @seradyn

Ardyn’s breath steadied itself while his arm left the warm body of a scientist. The corpse fell with a thud, slouched against a wall and surrounded by other deceased. The carnage he had created upon arriving at Serpo's lab was indescribable. It wasn’t just souls that had been ripped apart, but the very essence of who the men and women once were. Pale looks of horror and awe were what remained on the many who had died by his hand, if they were lucky enough to keep their faces intact. He had tried being a gentlemen, negotiating and offering peace, but all of that flew out the window when they refused to tell him where Caelan was being held.

Ardyn closed his eyes, breathing out as more scourge leaked past his lips. The black veins, whip like and pulsating, completely covered his entire form. His eyes held a primordial hunger, further accentuated by the constant glare that he wore. There were even horn like structures emerging from either side of his head. With each passing kill, they grew. He could barely walk due to the extra weight from them. His body tumbled and slouched, doing its part to try to play the role of human but to no avail. The compulsion to plant his hands and feet on the ground and walk on all fours became tempting with every step he took as he traversed the lab. His nostrils flared, picking up on scents and discerning potential foes.

Four days. It had been four days with less than three hours of sleep. Days of paranoia and fear taking hold of Ardyn's brain and planting roots to spread unspeakable ideas. He was so terrorized on Caelan’s behalf, on his mistake of not killing Serpo when he had the chance, that Ardyn ignored yet another prophetic vision while he drove the Scepter across Lucis. The echoing and tired pleads of Astrals beseeching him to fulfil a call was left unanswered. He could feel the desperation of whatever entities aided his resurrection; going so far as to throw images of Eos in ruin at him. The planet obliterated with no trace or memory. They made it clear Ardyn was going off road in every sense of the term while he scoured the lands looking for his shield.

Fuck the Gods. Fuck prophecy. He wasn’t going to fulfill any requests. Not after Bahamut, and especially not when he didn’t know if Caelan was alive. Fulfilling the desires of deities beyond mortals had cost him Aera. He wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice. He wasn’t going to lose his only friend in the world.

Guttural growls and inhuman rasps fell past Ardyn’s lips. Every once in a while, he would inhale, trying to pick up on any scent interesting enough to follow. He could still taste the blood of his guide at the tip of his tongue, having given into carnal impulses once they had arrived at the entry of the cave leading into Serpo's domain. Ardyn had full intention of letting the man go, but the moment he heard what sounded like Caelan’s screams, his humanity took a backseat. From that point on, he had become feral and with each kill, a little bit of his conscious left. It was not a matter of if but when he’d succumb to being a full daemonic entity and he didn’t care. He didn’t care that his spirit was being ripped apart and broken by the scourge pulsing through his veins. He didn’t care if his healing power called out to him. The only thing that mattered was following his drive to find Caelan and get her out of this place. Even if it killed him.

“Ardyn!” Caelan’s voice traveled through his ears. The sound echoing through corridors and bouncing off equipment, causing him to wince. Ardyn’s head quickly turned around, and his body took off. He was animal like with his movements, predatory and lurking as he sought out who or what made the noise. For what felt like minutes, he ran. His pulse thudded behind his eyes as colors and heat signatures came and went. He came upon a hallway with rooms and various doors and one by one, he’d approach, kick in the door, peek in, then move onto the next. His movements were so quick it was near serpentine, fluid and striking.

After body slamming into another, the hinges flying off, Ardyn looked from left to right. He did a double take upon seeing Caelan’s unconscious form on the ground. His heart picked up pace, a surprised growl leaving him. There was a softness that graced his monstrous features as her scent traveled to his nose. A sweet one he had loved inhaling from her neck the times they embraced. He found her.

Ardyn quickly ran to her, falling on his knees while his hands clamored and pulled her to him.

“Cahl,” His rich voice was gritty in comparison to the smooth texture he was known for, sounding more deep and scratchy than usual. Clawed fingers carefully brushed Caelan’s hair from her face, his eyes examining every inch of her body. That’s when he smelled the blood emitting from her chest. He lowered his head, nose pressing close to the points where she had been stabbed, and inhaled before looking towards her face. These were fresh. Having been done recently. His ears picked up on her faint pulse, and as he touched her throat he could feel her blood weakly pumping. He had almost been too late.

“No,” Ardyn shook his head. He pressed his forehead to hers, nuzzling while his body emitted unusual sounds throughout his form. It was akin to the purrs a large feline would produce. The noise was strong enough to make some of the objects within the room quake.

“Cahl,” He repeated her name over and over. The back of his left hand caressed her cheek. He pressed his face to her throat, nose giving a nudge to coax her awake. Ardyn repeated the motion to her face. A noise left her while he watched her grimace. Her eyes remained shut but it was enough of a sign that he needed to pick her up and leave. The sanity that remained within Ardyn began to temper down his animal impulses, not thinking about killing everyone left. That would come after she safe.

Ardyn hoisted her into his arms, carrying her like a bride. Her head lolled, turning away from his chest. He stepped out into the hallway where he had ransacked the other rooms, following the trail of blood he had left from his earlier exploits. Ardyn couldn’t stop glancing between Caelan and what was ahead. He desperately wanted to figure out what Serpo had done to her. For days he had the most horrific thoughts come to mind. Stuff even he wouldn’t be so bold to put another human through, and Ardyn was no stranger to cruel and unusual punishment.

Memories of the horrors he and Serpo performed on people at Niflheim all those years ago ransacked Ardyn's head. He remembered telling Caelan time after time, he had no regrets about the things he had done but that wasn’t true. There was more. He was just too prideful to admit it. Up till now at least. Ardyn couldn’t help but press Caelan closer to his body, his grip tightening around her. He regretted the things he had done because it led to her getting hurt. If she never met him, if she never knew him, she wouldn’t be in this situation.

There was a sudden whoosh of movement. The likes of which made Ardyn’s hairs stand on his neck followed by a throbbing stab to his throat. The needle hit a bundle of nerves, and on instinct he dropped Caelan and grabbed for the syringe while gasping. Ardyn yanked it out, tossing the vial away. It landed against a wall, cracking into pieces as the glass shattered. His right hand covered the spot, his head turning towards his attacker.

“You!” His inhuman voice bellowed as he laid his eyes on Tempus. Arms reaching to defend himself while Tempus used his blade to strike down. The screech that left Ardyn had Tempus falter back, giving Ardyn enough time and room to make his strike. He swiped and thrashed at Tempus. The sword blocking his claws and arms from hitting the flesh. Ardyn could feel his skin being sliced open but didn’t care. His mind had a singular purpose at the helm: take the man down by any means necessary. Even the call of Rakshasa went ignored as he continued his primal onslaught. He used objects to handicap Tempus’s strikes, getting the Einherjar commander to stumble long enough to assault him with cuts and slices. Ardyn took much delight in hearing Tempus's pained wheezes, yearning to rip the mans head off.

As Tempus twisted to dodge an attack, Ardyn exploited the move. He lunged forward, headbutting Tempus in the abdomen and knocked him to the ground. Their bodies crunched against the smooth texture of the floor and Ardyn slashed and bit whatever he could. Tempus’s exclamations were music to his ears while he ravaged at the man’s body. He’d throw in several punches to Tempus's face, breaking the nose before sinking his claws repeatedly into his opponents chest like knives. He was so hyper fixated on making Tempus suffer, that Ardyn didn’t register the sudden wave of nausea that hit him until Tempus gained the upper hand and threw him off.

“My turn!” Tempus exclaimed, returning a headbutt and punching Ardyn's stomach. While Ardyn tumbled over, Tempus got up and kicked him viciously. The final one sending him flying.

“Fuck!” Ardyn let out a pained yell while his back slammed against a nearby pipe leading into the cave. He winced while hoisting himself up, gaze on Tempus while the man angrily paced around. A plethora of creative curses left Tempus as he felt over all the spots that Ardyn had maimed. trying to assess how bad the damages were.

“You fucking---! You’re lucky we want you alive!” Tempus shouted, venturing over and crouching in front of Ardyn. He grabbed him by the neck, squeezing tight while Ardyn choked out.

“What did---what was in that--?”

“So the monster can talk!” Tempus spat. Little bits of blood landed upon Ardyn’s face.

“Do you feel human now, hm? Good! Because I’m going to make fucking sure you hurt like one!”

Ardyn’s chest heaved, all his limbs trembled and he could feel the scourge receding back into whatever void was in his body. He was about to say something else, until a throbbing crunch at his head had him yell out. Tempus had headbutted him over and over then flung Ardyn to the right like a ragdoll.

Ardyn rolled over himself a few times, landing on his stomach. Feral groans and ragged coughs escaped his body. Bile from the scourge pooled from his mouth and he threw up several times. Somehow through it all, he lifted his upper half and looked down at his hands. The veins and the claws were fading away. Returning to something akin of normalcy. His mind too cleared up, feeling more of himself shine through. Had it been any other time, Ardyn would’ve been jubilant he hadn’t lost the fight within himself. Now, with his daemonic abilities being suppressed from the serum, he was finding it difficult to defend himself. He attempted to fling Tempus away as the man approached, grabbing his right leg to try and sweep him. Tempus stopped Ardyn before the latter could perform the feat. Ardyn felt a thundering pain to his ribs as he was once more stricken.

Tempus grabbed Ardyn by his hair, relishing in the pained yell that escaped his throat then threw him to the ground. It wasn’t long until members of the Einherjar showed up, and Ardyn stared daggers into every one of them. His chest rose and fell rapidly while he tried to regain his composure. He counted around thirty or so until he was distracted. A searing pain was felt in his shoulder, feeling the blade of Tempus strike through his body, keeping him pinned to a nearby wall. Deep reds pooled like gentle rain from the wound, and Ardyn could feel the warmth of his blood being absorbed by his clothes.

“This won’t hold me back forever,” Ardyn forewarned, gritting his teeth while the nerves in his left arm pulsated. “I can already feel the scourge wishing to make a return. I will take everything from you. No one will be spared.”

“I have no doubt you’ll try,” Tempus sneered, crouching down to get on his level. A glare followed by pity graced itself on the former crownsguard towards his adversary. “Which is why we’re not taking any chances.”

Ardyn winced, screaming aloud as Tempus surprised him again with another needle to the throat. Then another, and another. He lazily attempted to slap Tempus’s hands away but to no avail as he was shoved to the side. With every ounce of the liquid that pulsed into his body, Ardyn felt weak. The experience was akin to being struck with a fever in a matter of seconds, and the shakes along with the sensation of feeling cold and wanting to throw up hit him all at once.

“Stop!” Serpo’s voice emerged. “If you keep dosing him with the suppressants, there’s a chance he’ll fall into a coma and die! I know you most certainly wouldn’t want that! The daemonic part of him should be at rest for a long while. Please. If you value your pardons, I’d advise against hitting him again.”

“Good thinking,” Tempus bitterly sighed, shaking his head while he rose to his feet. He began barking orders to the Einherjar to get the Adagium secured for transport.

It wasn’t long before Ardyn’s legs were being bound. He weakly growled, moving his body about to make it difficult for his captors. Between his powers being suppressed and his body aching, it was of no use. He hadn’t felt this tired, this weak in a millennia. Not since he was strung up in Angelgard. As the bindings reached to the upper hip of his left side, Ardyn felt triggered. There was a moment when he blinked that he could see them. Somnus’s finest men preparing to break his limbs, ensuring he wouldn’t be able to get out of Angelgard on his own. He thrashed, letting out gravely cries. Ardyn managed to grab a hold of one of the Einherjar that crouched near, choking the man out until he was repeatedly assaulted and forced to let the poor soul go.

From afar, Ardyn could see Serpo coming out from the shadows. His heart raced, mind feeling the pain of rage take hold when the older man bent down to examine Caelan.

“You will not touch her!” Ardyn shouted. His normal voice returning to him as he yelled. His body began to fight against his captors once more.

“I will do as I please with what I bought and paid for.” Serpo replied back firmly.

Ardyn was beside himself, furrowing his brows while his head shook. He glanced between the Einherjar and his former assistant.

“So you’re not taking Cahl?” Ardyn muttered. The confusion seemed to offer his adversaries much amusement. Some chuckled and others looked beside themselves. Ardyn didn’t want to believe it, yet there seemed to be a reluctance in a few of the men and women at his question. No, they couldn’t have cared about what happens to Caelan. Not after everything. He wouldn't allow such sentimentality. Not after what they put her through.

“The Einherjar and myself have come to an arrangement,” Serpo broke the silence, speaking on behalf of himself and the group. “

“What arrangement?” Ardyn’s voice lowered.

“I’m amazed at you suddenly becoming cordial, Izunia!” Serpo exclaimed. The pitiful look he cast upon Ardyn visibly made his former associate tense. The older man smirked upon witnessing that.

“I intend to finalize Project Oraculum. I was hoping with your assistance and blessing, but after you left, it became obvious I’d have to take matters into my own hands. By rotten luck, Tempus and I bumped into each other. He shared what he had been through and whom they were searching for. Partnering with the Einherjar seemed a logical step, wouldn’t you agree?”

Serpo was quite humored at the circumstances while he chuckled. He then gestured towards Ardyn, and stepped towards him. There was a small sigh of relief that left Ardyn, the farther away Serpo was from Caelan, the more at ease he became. The hostility remained nevertheless. Ardyn wouldn't let these trespasses go.

“You will be escorted to Insomnia. Like you always intended. Tempus and the Einherjar will see to that. Though, it’s a shame,” Serpo furrowed his brows. There was a sincere look of regret in his eyes that had Ardyn puzzled for a time until the man continued. “I was hoping before your arrival, you’d get to see your Oracle again. I had Zamfir prepped and ready for the extraction process. I promised her that you’d meet again, but alas it’s not meant to be.”

Ardyn was seeing red at the remark. His blood boiled, eyes glaring while his teeth grit. Snarls began to leave his body as he attempted to lunge forward, only to be stopped by the sword in his shoulder.

Serpo walked back to Caelan and crouched down beside her. The moment he put his hands upon Caelan’s throat to check for a pulse, Ardyn snapped. With a shaking hand, he ripped Tempus’s blade out of his arm and forced himself to his feet. The bindings around his legs began to slouch, having not been fastened tight enough. He shoved several Einherjar that attempted to stop his advances, hitting a few in the process.

“I said don’t touch her!” He screamed out. There was a whishing snap, and six of the royal arms appeared to his aid. He gestured with his right arm, one of the ghost like weapons, that of an ax, zoomed forward intent on killing Serpo.

Serpo's eyes widened. He managed to avoid the line of fire as Ardyn became distracted by Tempus and others in the Einherjar suddenly attacking. The killing blow intended for the old man accidentally took out a lab assistant nearby. During the commotion, Serpo snuck away not before ordering other assistants to grab a hold of Caelan and move her. Ardyn took notice, his eyes widening out of fear for her, and he was soon distracted, needing to protect his own neck.

"Make sure she doesn't get out of the machine this next time!" Serpo barked at his assistants while they made their way to an elevator. The assistants quickly ran inside along with their boss, hitting several buttons to the right and the doors came screaming closed. The platform below their feet trembled and they made their descent.

"Did any of you bring the sedatives?" Serpo asked as one assistant lay Caelan down on the floor, the other scrambled to procure what Serpo was asking for.

"I have some right here! I can apply to the arms, we just need--" The assistant felt a horrible weight in his lower chest. Peering down, he screamed at witnessing he had been pierced through by a sword. Caelan ripped her blade from him, swinging to his legs. The assistant fell, and she pointed her blade to Serpo. Gruff pants left Caelan's mouth while she growled. There was no mercy in her gaze. No signs that her heart was open to the idea of leaving anyone or anything alive.

It took Serpo a few seconds to realize she had already killed the other assistant who had been tending to her. He had no chance to react when Caelan stepped forward, and made a quick slash to his body. He was so stunned at her recovery, given how thoroughly drugged he had ensured her, that Serpo didn't register Caelan had cut off his right arm and part of his foot.

The old man's screams echoed throughout the elevator as it continued to to descend further into the labs. Caelan's onslaught not ceasing in the slightest.

Meanwhile, Ardyn traded blow after blow with Tempus and other Einherjar for what felt like ages. Summoning Rakshasa, and with the help of his armiger, he gained the upper hand over his adversaries. Bodies fell, blood shed, steel met steel, and harrowing gasps and righteous screams echoed throughout the cavernous hallways of the lab. Despite everything going against Ardyn power wise, he could feel a surge of confidence begin to make its way through himself. A determination to see his plans through and to get Caelan out resonated deep within. He could do this. He had to. He was winning.

Cornered and bloodied, Tempus’s sword had been knocked from his grasp as the phantom limbs of the astral weapons encircled Ardyn. A furious gaze burned in his eyes while he rushed with the Rakshasa at the Einherjar’s commander to ensure a killing blow, only to falter. Ardyn could feel his vision blurring. His heart rate dropped dangerously low then sped up. The few seconds he was incapacitated, Tempus and the others exploited the weakness. Ardyn had trouble parrying and blocking. His movements, albeit fast to the naked eye, became sloppy. There were several openings he could’ve struck, but the royal arms were not having it.

The only thing keeping Ardyn safe and giving him an advantage over this situation, was also killing him. He could feel it. His body wanting to shut down. Without the scourge for backup to offer reprieve from the toll the royal arms took, Ardyn knew he was going to lose. He was slipping more into distraught. Upset that he had allowed himself to become so weak. Angry that of all the places to die, it would be in this hellscape and not at the hands of Noctis. Frustrated that he would again reincarnate maybe in another five or ten years and relive another lifetime, and most of all deeply sorrowful he once more couldn’t protect a person he cherished.

“No harm would’ve ever come to Aera had she been at my side.” The morose words of Somnus rang through Ardyn’s head as he blocked an attack from Tempus and swung Rakshasa to the right. He could see his brother giving him one last look before readying for departure. Never to be seen again in the flesh.

“She was--never yours to protect, brother. You were--weak as I am.” Ardyn replied hoarsely. His broken bones and heavy wounds wouldn’t allow him to speak anymore, nor did he want to spare another thought towards the man who had taken his life away. Those were the last words Ardyn ever exchanged with Somnus. He had never allowed himself to dive into the memory, yet the conversation plagued him in the present as he thought of how he failed Caelan.

Ardyn grimaced while he continued to fight despite his speed significantly slowing down. Pain seared in his back, his legs, his arms. He let out an anguishing gasp when he fell to his knees. The royal arms began to fade in and out of reality like static on a television set. This was it. He was at the end of his rope. He had no more fight in him despite his spirit wanting to persevere.

“Knock him out! Finish this!” Tempus commanded the closest Einherjar. The soldier stepped forward, bracing herself as her shield rose and prepared to deliver the final blow. All Ardyn could do was hang his head and close his eyes. For the first time in ages, he prayed to whatever was listening. Not for his sake but for Caelan. Hoping that somehow, she’d make it out of this place without him.

As the shield came barreling down towards Ardyn’s neck, he could hear its weight and imagined the heaviness of it crushing his skull. He swallowed and surrendered to his fate. A few seconds passed and nothing came of it. The last thing his ears registered was a powerful boom and a chalk board induced scratching noise of a sword meeting wood and steel. Ardyn looked up. Caelan was standing in front of him, having blocked the impact and even killed the shield owner.

“Cahl!” His voice hitched, eyes widening as Caelan went from a defense to an attack position. The stance bore striking resemblance to one Ardyn had used against her when they sparred. He couldn’t help but feel some pride at that.

“Zamfir!” Tempus bellowed out of frustration.

“Which one of you hurt him?” The lack of emotion in her voice had Ardyn momentarily taken back. This was downright stoic, even for her. A strong coppery smell traversed up through Ardyn’s nostrils, and his eyes registered Caelan was covered in red. From the way her clothes clung to her body, and how saturated the material was, it was if she jumped into a pool of blood.

“Have it your way.” Caelan responded when no one answered. She gripped the handle of her blade, and charged.

Before Ardyn could grab her, touch her to reassure himself this was real, he fell backwards while Caelan proceeded to perform a warp strike. Using what energy he could, Ardyn crawled to an area where he was away from the battlefield. The large metal crates nearby provided shelter from the onslaught of attacks. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to take full breaths while his body attempted to recover. It didn’t stop him from peering around to watch.

A look of awe, fascination and dread each took turns making their way across Ardyn’s face as he watched Caelan fight. He had sparred with her before, had traded blows and pushed her limits. He of all people should’ve known what she was like in a battle. Everything from Caelan's stances to the way she thrust and adjusted her sword felt like another person was performing on her behalf. That someone or something took control of the reigns behind her brain and replaced her. The spirit of play in her movements, that he noted down mentally as her personal signature was nowhere to be found. Everything about Caelan was cold and calculative. Poised and ready to strike. The blank look told Ardyn everything about this character: she fully intended to kill everybody off.

Ardyn had no doubt he was witnessing the Homicida at work. The persona Caelan had come into being in order to take down her father and the Einherjar all those years ago. He should’ve been relieved, but all he felt while watching her cut, maim and butcher soldier and lab assistant was a terrible pain. This wasn’t her. This wasn’t his Cahl.

“S-stop,” Ardyn tried to call out to her but he struggled. He could scarcely believe Caelan would have heard him anyhow. Too wrapped up in the battle and attempting to kill Tempus to care. He had to get to her. He needed to calm her down. There could only be one monster, and Ardyn rather it be himself than her.

Ardyn slowly began to move onto his feet. He collapsed a few times, getting his bearings while his legs shook. All the attacks had him feeling wobbly. Like a newborn horse trying to walk after being dropped from the womb. He stepped forward, then from the corner of his eye noticed Serpo.

Ardyn’s eyes widened as he took notice Serpo was missing an arm. The clean cut going to his elbow. Various stab wounds were intricately placed upon old mans body, ensuring Serpo didn't die but suffered a slow death. Ardyn had no doubts that was Caelan’s doing. In the leftover hand Serpo had something akin to a gun, and it didn’t take much for Ardyn to figure out he was aiming for her.

Ardyn forced himself into a sprint. Pain radiated throughout his entire body, and as he got halfway to Serpo, he could feel the scourge begin to pool into the recesses of his form. The serum having worn off after gods knew how long everyone had been fighting. Ardyn warped, a black smoke of darkness became his body, and he appeared in front of Serpo. A primordial screech fell from his mouth as he whacked the gun out of the old mans arms, and grabbed him by his shoulders lifting him up several feet.

“I-Izunia! Please! Let’s--Let’s talk about--Ardyn!” He was promptly tossed like a piece of meat as soon as Ardyn’s name fell past his lips. Serpo groaned out as he forced himself back up, bracing himself for another onslaught while Ardyn screamed towards him. The guttural and piercing yell echoed throughout the halls of the lab.

Ardyn was about to disappear once more into darkness and travel to Caelan, but surprise overtook him when he felt her shove his body aside. Ardyn watched as Caelan teleported, hitting Serpo from behind and sent the old man tumbling. After Serpo landed, he was met with Caelan’s blade at his throat.

“Y-you---No, no--I want to see my Angela! You can’t take that from me!” Serpo cried out while Caelan lifted her sword. Both her hands grabbing the handle. She felt the warm flames of rage beckoning her to torture the man further until he begged to be put down.

“You’ll never hurt anyone again,” Caelan muttered. “I’m going to make sure of that.”

Before she could take the swing, Caelan felt something heavy wrap around her waist. Her body froze, breath hitching in her throat as the familiarity hit her like a ton of bricks.

“Cahl, as my shield, I command you not to strike him down.” Ardyn said softly. His voice, inhuman, pleaded to her.

“You don’t know what he’s done,” Caelan coldly sneered. Her whole body began to quake. “The people he twisted into monsters. The souls of the dead trapped in bodies they’re tortured in. I can’t let him live! I won't let him live!"

“Yes, he deserves to die but not by your hand.” Ardyn was more firm. His hands shuddered against Caelan. He leaned his face in closer to her ear, trying to soothe her.

“What happened to Tempus?”

“Tempus got away. They always get away! They always win and I’m fucking tired! I’m tired of it! I never should've let him go! I’m going to kill Tempus! He hurt you! I’m going to kill him and everyone here including this miserable fucker!” Caelan yelled out. Her eyes were brimming with tears. She almost swung the sword as Serpo let out a pleading cry. Ardyn’s right hand reached away from her waist and grabbed a hold of her right forearm. His grip was tight, keeping her in place before she could perform the action.

“You’re pissing me off!” Caelan bellowed.

“This isn’t you,” Ardyn reasoned with her. He could feel her rage. So much so that the scourge inside of himself reacted to it. A pleasant hum ran through his abdomen. It was difficult not to give into whatever temptation this plague had, but he was determined to see it through that Caelan didn’t bloody her hands any further.

“Why are you stopping me?” Caelan’s words began to break.

“Long ago,” Ardyn began. His voice a whisper. “A girl was forced into war and strife she didn’t ask for. She had no choice. Her choices were made for her.”

Caelan was quiet. Ardyn could feel her arms begin to convulse. The blade of her sword shook alongside its master. The arm Ardyn had around her waist gave a gentle squeeze.

“I don’t know what’s going on inside your head, but I know you. I know you don’t like killing for sport. You’re not wired for it. However, I acknowledge I may be wrong.” Ardyn hoped the sincerity in his voice, no matter how corrupted it was due to the scourge, would reach some part of Caelan’s heart. Enough to make her think things through.

“Would you condemn me for killing him?” Caelan asked.

“No, no I wouldn’t.” Ardyn sighed. His breath uneven. “I want to give you what has been taken away numerous times: a choice.”

“Ardyn--”

“I’m going to let you go,” Ardyn swallowed after enunciating each word in a murmur. “Whatever you choose, I’ll be right here.”

True to his word, Ardyn's grip around her forearm loosened and eventually the hand retreated followed by the arm around her waist. The warmth of his chest to her back also faded. Caelan was beside herself. She looked straight down at Serpo who by now was a whimpering mess of pleads. He looked pathetic. And as he muttered his dead wife’s name, the one she had heard over and over while she maimed him in the elevator, Caelan felt her resolve disappear.

"You and Tempus will strike this side of the compound, and from the left, the rest of the Einherjar will lure the imperials into the desert." Julian finished the last of his plans with Caelan, moving a few pieces on a world map of Lucis. The inside of large guard tent was warm and welcoming. A stark contrast to the horrors that lay outside of it in the form of bodies and Einherjar destroying any evidence of their kills.

"You said you had a present for me earlier, what is it?" Caelan asked.

"I found another family for you," Julian smiled. "Father and two kids. The broodmare of a wife has already been dealt with. I figured since you had quite the experience today, you'd like another round. To get used to it. Tempus will meet you outside when we are finished conversing."

"You honor me." Caelan smiled.

"No, you my dear, honor me as you honor our family name."

Caelan could smell a metallic odor, like that of pork, indicating Julian's men were now burning corpses. She gripped the handle of her knife at her right side, applying pressure to keep the rest of her form stable and poised. She couldn't afford to give Julian a whiff of anything amiss. Not when she was moments away from claiming him as he did the poor souls that crossed his path over the years.

"Will you be joining us in the spoils when we attack the refugee compound?" Caelan asked. Excitement oozed in her words while Julian chuckled. She could see his amusement flash behind his eyes.

"Of course," Julian got up from his seat, walking over to Caelan. He placed a hand upon her shoulder. "Hunting the Nif Rats with you was always a dream of mine. That we could purge Eos of them together. Make your mom and little brother proud. I know things haven't been easy between you and I. There were many resentments either of us felt towards each other. I'd like to think we can put it behind us. Be a family again."

Caelan offered a sincere smile. Her expression faltered, eyes looking away from Julian while she felt her body quake.

"What's wrong, are you alright?" Julian asked.

The warmth of her fathers voice, the sound she used to associate protection and safety with, pulled at Caelan's heart strings. She sighed and nodded.

"Yeah, this was just a long time coming. I always wanted to make you proud, and never felt I'd meet expectation. I can rest knowing I did." Caelan answered, offering a shy shrug. She forced herself to look into Julian's eyes. Gods listening, don't let me lose my nerve. Caelan thought to herself.

"You make it sound as if you're going somewhere," Julian furrowed his brows. His hands cupped either side of Caelan's face, brushing away her braids as he smiled at her fondly. "You, my daughter, have always been my biggest joy. I'm so sorry I haven't said it often nor gave the courtesy of displaying my affections when you needed me most. I've been so caught up in making sure this world is safe for you, making sure no one from Niflheim will harm you, I lost sight of things."

"You don't have to apologize," Caelan shook her head. Her body moved forward, being embraced by Julian tightly. His face slightly buried in her neck while he sighed with contentment. She had him, and he had her.

"I love you."

Don't let me lose my nerve.

That was the moment Caelan struck the blade of her knife into the left side of Julian's throat then pulled out. His body immediately jerked back. A harrowing yell mixed with gurgling slushes of blood poured from his mouth. He stumbled backward, falling against his armor that had been hung up. The pieces falling to the ground as did he. Julian's hands gripped the wound, feeling the hot warmth of his blood collect into his palm. He stared up in horror as Caelan hovered above him, desperately trying to choke out a plead. His eyes a mix of melancholy and righteous anger as he screamed out upon Caelan's dagger meeting his soft flesh as she pounced on top of his body.

Caelan's mind went elsewhere as she cut and sliced. The squishing sounds of Julian's windpipe being crushed and violated drove her to prolong the mess. It was supposed to be quick. She knew all the points of the throat to make a clean kill, but her arm had a mind of its own. The primal exhilarations she forbade herself from enjoying while she chased the Niflheim mother and child, finally broke through her barriers. All of it pooled into the blade she sunk into Julian's neck, and her face couldn't help but contort into one of pure joy. Years of being dragged into Julian's genocide, countless times she had been broken down emotionally, the many moments in which he blamed her, a child herself, for the deaths of his wife and son; it all motivated her mind to take and take. Little by little, stripping Julian's life away, just as he chipped at whatever was left of her heart. He had broken her.

Julian's cries for aid alerted the Einherjar. Tempus, the first one on scene. Everybody who flooded near the tent were frozen in utter shock as they witnessed Caelan's body hovered over their commander. Watching while Caelan's knife made its final blow.

Julian, still hanging on by a thread, reached a violently shaken hand up to her. The bloodied palm gripped at Caelan's wrist, feeling her resolve begin to waver while his spirit started to leave. His eyes, void of life and taking in the image of his daughter for a final time, pierced through whatever strength Caelan had left. She was crying. Weeping further as his final words latched onto her ears, vowing to never cease haunting her for the trespass.

"W-what have you---become?"

The sword fell, striking the ground near Serpo’s head but didn’t meet his flesh. Caelan kept her head bowed as she quietly sobbed. There were quick flashbacks. Images of her father scrambling to keep pressure on his throat, and the look of horror upon his face knowing his daughter did this to him. Caelan's grip upon the hilt of her blade tightened to the point where blisters would surely form. She was finished. There was no more joy for the Homicida.

Ardyn’s right hand clasped her shoulder, giving a squeeze before he moved past her quivering form. Serpo was his burden. If anyone was to give the final blow, it was him. Ardyn knew had he not spared this man, none of this would’ve happened. His indecision almost cost a life. Perhaps many in between the time he had been allowed to live. Ardyn's inner daemon rose through, and he grabbed a hold of Serpo’s head and twisted after crouching down.

The loud snap of the old man’s neck being broken made Caelan wince. She didn’t have the heart to witness Ardyn's deeds. Not after all the faces of the people she killed ran amok through her head. She didn't look up while she heard Ardyn kill off whoever was left in the vicinity. All she wanted was peace. A calm that would sate the horrid feelings that ravaged her. Caelan was so caught up in her own misery, she didn't notice that Ardyn, who by now transformed further, stood in front of her. His inhuman growls and rasps had her freeze. The air went still.

Caelan forced her gaze up. Her reddened eyes meeting the deep yellow and blacks of his. She gulped, seeing the horns upon Ardyn's head and the veins plague every inch of his pale skin. The blood from his kills staining his clothes further added to the ethereal and primal look he carried. Ardyn gave off a predatory energy, yet there was a glow in his golden hues. Something akin to a plead, that she would be able to look past this and see he was still there. That he made a beast of himself for her sake. That if she considered herself a monster, so to would he join her in the experience. He held space for her. That he was there should she command it so.

There was no fear in Caelan's eyes towards him. It didn’t matter to her how monstrous he looked, or how many he had slain. He was still Ardyn, and it dawned on her, that she was still Caelan. Her taking life, was just another element. A piece of a puzzle that made the whole of her. It didn't completely define her just as Ardyn's past actions didn't completely define him. Both of them had done unspeakable things for survival and to accomplish goals. It was just as he said to her long ago, hell was lonesome. The company you keep in such a place makes it bearable.

She was crying again.

Ardyn’s gaze lingered on Caelan. Soft growls erupted from his throat out of instinct that couldn’t be helped. As he acknowledged her, he felt a sense of calm. She was alive. Spilling blood on her behalf, almost losing his humanity, it was well worth it.

They stared at each other, wordless and only the sounds of their breaths could be registered. Even as Ardyn began to revert, his daemonic features receding away and fading into a black like smoke, they didn’t say anything. It was only when Ardyn noticed the light returning to Caelan’s eyes did he pipe up.

“There she is.” Ardyn smiled. He reached a hand out, gently cupping the side of her face as he thumb wiped away the stranded tears on her skin.

Caelan tried not to, but she couldn’t suppress the small smile that tried to hide. Her face leaned into his touch.

“Here I am.” She murmured.

The moment was interrupted by Ardyn letting out a pained wince and he let go of her. The wounds he endured finally made their presence known. He watched as Caelan approached his left side, adjusting her arms and body so he could lean upon her for support. His left arm swung over her shoulders while her right supported his back and waist. The gentle grasp of her fingertips to his right hip had him shudder.

“I got you.” Caelan softly spoke. “Can you walk?”

“Hmm hmm.” Ardyn nodded.

They slowly began their trek out of the labs, making their descent out of hell. Ardyn allowed himself to lean more into Caelan, his body appreciating the much needed pressure and relief especially towards his wound sites.

“I was supposed to be the one rescuing you. This is rather humiliating, I must say." Ardyn let out a light hearted laugh. Caelan shook her head.

“I think we can call it even,” Caelan said sarcastically. Nevertheless she sincerely looked up at his face, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. Adoration mutually blessed to the other.

“Let’s both get out of here.”

#immortal shield #ardyn #ardyn izunia #ardyn lucis caelum #fanfic #fanfiction #story #original characters #man idk #struggled with this one #hope it delivered #shit goes down #ffxv #final fantasy xv #dotf based

12 notes · View notes