"Now you can open your eyes," Noctis said, his voice steady.
J slowly opened his eyes — a grey world stretched out before him.
He glanced around, then stared at his hand, a faint smile fading from his face.
"Oh, right…" J thought as he looked around again. "I became color blind not long ago."
Noctis released him and walked slowly toward his throne. He leaned back, scanning over the commanders, as if waiting for their reactions.
"Brother, is he the new commander? He… he looks rather pale, don't you think?" a boy asked with a genuine smile glued to his face. He had black hair and blue eyes, wore a grey coat over a black undershirt, and had black bandages wrapped around his arms like gauntlets. His name was **Aron**.
Noctis nodded. "Yes."
"That's amazing! A new—" Aron paused. "Friend…"
**Tip! Top! Tip!**
A girl approached J, tilting her head. "Well, he *is* pale, alright. Anyway, what's your name?"
She had white skin, green eyes, and light green hair, with a pair of white wings on her back. She wore a dark green dress — not long enough to be a hindrance, nor short enough to be revealing — along with green pants that stopped above her ankles. Her name was **Auro**.
J stared at her before answering. "I… I'm J-J Nova."
Auro smiled cheerfully. "Nice to meet you! I'm Auro. I don't have a family name though. That smiling freak is Aron, that's Okita, that's Lillian, and that's Zabuza," she said, pointing at a stoic lizard-man with blue skin, neon eyes, and sharp claws. He wore a brown cloak covering most of his body.
"Hey!" Aron exclaimed, lunging at Auro, chasing her as she ran in circles.
**Cough!**
"Aron, Auro — please don't act like children in front of the rookie," Noctis said calmly.
J's body twitched as his gaze fell on Okita. She didn't respond — she simply looked away.
Before he could speak, Lillian stepped forward, her voice soft and apologetic as she clasped her hands. "Sorry about the other day. I really got into our fight and went a little overboard. I hope we can be great friends from now on."
"O-okay…" J replied hesitantly.
Noctis clapped his hands. "Now that that's over, shall we begin?"
J tilted his head, narrowing his eyes. "Begin what?"
Noctis spread his fingers, forming a small portal on his palm. From it appeared a glass bottle, golden roses engraved on the surface, containing a strange black liquid. Noctis handed it to Zabuza.
Zabuza stared at the bottle for a moment, then slowly walked toward J. He crouched, placing a firm hand on J's shoulder.
"Drink this. It'll help you a lot. You could call it medicine, if you want — something all of us drank," he said, his voice rough.
J's hands trembled as he took it. He looked at Noctis with a puzzled expression while Zabuza returned to his place.
"I'll ensure your safety. So don't worry — just drink it," Noctis said with an unnerving smile.
J gulped, then opened the lid.
**Pop! Chug! Chug!**
J chugged the liquid in one go and threw the vial aside. At first, nothing happened — just some dizziness.
Then — pain. His body suddenly felt as though it was on fire, burning from the inside out. He twitched and screamed in agony, his cries echoing through the castle. It lasted for several unbearable minutes before finally stopping. His vision blurred, his breathing grew heavy — and now, a red, sword-shaped marking appeared in J's eyes.
The commanders stepped back, confusion and worry across their faces.
"Huh?! What's happening to him? Nothing like this happened when we drank it!" Lillian exclaimed, eyebrows furrowed.
"Well—"
Before Noctis could finish, J lunged at him, pinning him to the throne. His eyes burned bright, the sword-shaped mark glowing intensely.
**Thud!**
"Y-you bastard, what did you do to me?" J growled.
He pressed harder, choking Noctis. "What… what was in that liquid?"
Aron raised his hand, ready to strike, but Noctis raised his own.
"Don't," he said.
Then Noctis smirked. "Do you really think you can defeat me like this? Just look around and observe. Haven't you regained your colors? Aren't you faster, stronger than before?"
J blinked in shock, still holding Noctis by the neck. "True…"
Noctis tilted his head slightly, his voice cold. "Move."
He kicked J in the gut, sending him trembling back. Before J could regain balance, Noctis appeared before him, grabbed his throat, and pinned him to the ground.
**Cough! Cough!**
Noctis released him, brushing off his shoulder as J lay on the ground.
"That was a little payback, if I may. After all, what you did was ungrateful — attacking me right after I restored your vision."
He extended his hand. "Here. Take it. Get up."
J accepted the hand and stood up. "Sorry… I didn't notice it sooner."
In what seemed like a warm smile, Noctis replied, "It's okay."
He turned back to his throne, then faced the commanders.
"Thank you all for attending today. I ask that you stay here for a few weeks before returning to your posts — and help our newest member out."
Aron raised a hand and called out, "Brother! Do we get our wish today?"
Noctis nodded. "Yes, why not? So, who'll go first?"
Three hands shot up — Aron, Auro, and Lillian.
"Hmm… three people? Alright, Aron, you first."
Aron rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I want new weapons."
Noctis glanced out the window. "That's doable. I was running out of hydra blood anyway — all my old ones expired except one." He paused. "Okay. You'll get your wish. Auro, what about you?"
Auro playfully rolled her eyes and smiled. "I want new clothes. These ones are too small now."
Noctis facepalmed, letting out a genuine laugh. "You little brat. You could've told me sooner or gone to the shop."
"Nope," Auro replied, sticking out her tongue.
His gaze shifted to Lillian. "And you, Lillian?"
Lillian avoided his eyes, fidgeting. "Maybe… I'll ask after everyone else has gotten theirs."
"Very well. Okita, Zabuza — anything you want?" Noctis asked calmly.
"I heard there have been signs of slavery in Aurora Vale. I want to take care of them," Okita said, glancing sideways at J.
Noctis's smile remained, but his voice darkened. "Despite everything, it still festers in Aurora Vale. Fine, you can go — but don't kill them."
He leaned close and whispered, "Send them and the buyers to the cellar."
A sweat drop ran down Okita's face. "Wha— no, it's okay. I'll take care of that."
Noctis's eyes glimmered. "Thanks! Zabuza?"
"Fish. Lots of fish," Zabuza answered gruffly.
"For your people, right?" Noctis asked.
Zabuza nodded.
"Very well. I'll make arrangements. Now, Lillian?" Noctis said.
Lillian's face turned bright red. She fiddled with her fingers, and the others gave her knowing looks.
"I… I want to go out with you… I want you to spend the entire day with me."
Noctis chuckled. "Really? That's your request? Fine — I'll grant it."
It looked like smoke was coming out of her head. Okita patted her shoulder. "You did well…"
"For today, you're all dismissed. I have important matters to attend to."
With that, Noctis left the throne room.
Before he could open a portal, Aron called out. "Brother, wait."
Noctis turned, frowning. "What is it?"
"Are your Eyes of Truth broken or something?" Aron asked.
"No, why?"
"Then why let him join, of all people?" Aron spread his arms. "He has the same Eyes of Betrayal as Okita."
"So… you don't trust Okita?"
"I do — but not him."
"Just try to get along with him. Everything will be fine." Noctis flicked Aron's forehead and stepped into the portal, vanishing.
Noctis flicks Aron's forehead. Then slowly walks up to the portal vanishing into the air.
The next moment Noctis is in front of castle of Linares, a giant castle made with bricks and stones, long and small windows scattered across the castle. A giant wall surrounded it, a giant wooden door blocked the entrance guarded by two guards.
"I wish I could have broken the barrier set up by those fools." Noctis said, staring into the tranquil sky above where clouds roam freely.
"Who are you? State your business?" One of the guards shouted, pointing his spear at Noctis.
"No one, in particular just ME!" Noctis paused, bending his index finger forming half circles around their necks. "Move! If you don't you will undoubtedly lose your life or a limb at the very least. And you asked why I am here right? I am here to cure your little hero, so I will ask again you to move."
The guards tried to grab but their fingers just passed through the half-circles as he if they're nothing but an incomplete portal.
"Unless you… show us a permit we can not let you enter even if you are a king or mage." On of the guards said as his voice trembled.
"Fools," Noctis sighed he spread his arms.
Black smoke burst out from Noctis turning the air unbearably heavy as a crushing weight fell upon the guards forcing them to their knees, for them even breathing became a challenge.
Grasp! Grasp!
"W-who, who are you? And— and what do you want from our princess?" the guard asked, his vision blurry.
"I am here to fulfill my world to J." Noctis said calmly as he walked passed them sliding the giant door open.
"J, the lost hero? Isn't he…" the guards fainted before he could finish.
Noctis slowly walked through castle, thickening the air around him as soldiers after soldiers collapsed to the ground with thuds like drums. As he walking through grand hallway of the castle amidst the collapsed servants, one caught his eye. She was barely holding onto her consciousness, her breath ragged and heavy.
Noctis suppressed his mana returning the hallway into it's original state.
"Girl, tell me where are the heroes? Especially the girl named Nita." Noctis said calmly his smile never fading.
"I… I will tell you on one condition… you— you will let me live." The servant said.
"I was planning to do that, now tell me where are they?"
The servant pointed towards the long hallway, as she stuttered with her words. "They… they are in that room at the end of the hallway."
"Thanks," said Nocis with a wide smile his eyes gleaming.
Noctis turned and walked towards the room. Upon reaching it, he slid opened the door.
The room was warm and welcoming, sunlight simmered through the window, a king sized bed in the middle with white bedsheets and blankets. Nita lay on it moaning in pain as Lina, Haruto and Star sat by her.
Suddenly Haruto turned towards Noctis. His tone sharp, "Who are you?"
Noctis gave an amused smile, resting his finger tips on his chest. "How amusing! Even though you don't know me your body is already prepared for impact."
"Just answer me!" Haruto said, raising his sword he pointed it at Noctis.
"I am Noctis the person you named a demon." He said with smirk. "Don't you dare trying to attack, if you do your friend over there will die." A half circle formed around Lina's throat. Noctis continued, his tone calm. "I just want to talk like normal people and give you a good news, but if you resort to violence you will lose those."
Star placed her hand on Haruto's shoulder, as she spoke. "Okay, fine but don't harm Lina and don't get any closer."
Noctis just grined. "Be it than."
Noctis dispelled the half-circle with a flick of his fingers.
"What do you want—"
"Where is J? What did you do to him?" Star interrupted, her voice trembling, tears welling in her eyes.
Noctis placed a finger on his chin. "A great question indeed, but it doesn't suit someone who left him alone to die."
Lina lowered her head, and Star's face twisted in guilt.
"There was nothing we could've done to stop him," she whispered. "So… we let him go."
"That may be," Noctis replied. "But you didn't even try to save him—or contact him—despite having a telepathic ring. The truth is, you abandoned him. And I picked him up."
He leaned forward slightly, his eyes gleaming.
"Don't go claiming he betrayed you... because you were the ones who betrayed him. Yet even then, he chose to join me—for one reason only: to cure her."
A pin-drop silence fell over the room. The heroes and Lina lowered their gazes. They couldn't deny it. Their efforts to save J had failed—miserably.
Noctis extended his hand, spreading his fingers wide. His voice was sharp, persuasive.
"But that is beside the point. I came here to offer you the cure for MDC. In return, I'll ask a few questions. What do you say?"