Lina's eyes widened as she shook her head. "That is impossible! There is no cure for MDC. Nobody ever recovered from it."
Noctis smirked as he brought out a similar vial like before, dangling it. "Well, I have it. Now it is up to you if you want to believe me or not."
Star slowly step towards him, her voice cautious. "Is… is that the cure?"
Haruto placed his sword in front of Star, his tone sharp. "First of all how can we trust you? Second of all didn't you told J had already paid the price?"
Noctis let out a sharp laugh that cut through the air.
OHAHAHA!
Noctis tilted his head, his eyes gleaming. "How foolish can you be? Do you really think it's that simple? It isn't cheap, I have to risk my life in order to get one vial."
Haruto sighed, "Okay, we will comply but first drink it and prove to us it isn't poisonous."
"You are quite sharp." Noctis said grinning.
Pop!
Noctis opened the lit and drank a small drop.
Haruto narrowed his eyes, "Why did you drank just a drop?"
"That is the highest amount I can consume if I consumed more there won't enough for your friend." Noctis said.
Lina got close to Haruto whispering. "Should we really trust him?"
"Is there any other choice? If he is saying the truth it's our only chance to cure Nita and if it's a lie than… it's like gamble." Haruto muttered.
Star glanced at Nita's unconscious body before turning towards Noctis. "Please give us the cure, I'm more than willing to answer any question you ask."
"Thanks for complying. Now, tell me what is that you value? Freedom, heroism, safely, friends and family or something else?" Noctis asked calml.
Noctis's question took them by surprise after all, we don't expect our enemies to ask about what we value, when they can ask about our strengths and weaknesses.
"Friends, family and… freedom." Star said her voice low as if she is trying to hide.
Haruto paused, he didn't respond for a few seconds, "Protecting people… that's all I'm going to say. Now give me the cure."
"My peo—"
"Very well, thanks for answering them honestly." Noctis spoke in a pleasing tone.
As he slowly walked up to Haruto placing the vial in Haruto's hand.
"Make sure she drinks every single drop no matter what, or else she won't be able to recover." Noctis said before the space around him twisted and the next moment he is gone.
Ofhh!
They sighed in relief. Haruto flopped on the bed holding the vial tight.
"Haruto, quick! Feed her the liquid or give it to me." Star said hurriedly.
Haruto narrowed his eyes, "You do know the risk involved, don't you?"
Star lower her gaze, clenching her fist. "I'm more than aware of the risks involved. But as you said we have no other choice. Not to mention if we want bring J back we need her more than anyone."
Haruto handed the vial to Star. "You're right, let's get this over with and pray for the best."
Star nodded as she got close Nita, gently lifted her head. She carefully poured the strange liquid into her mouth, vigilant not to spill a single drop. Then Star with the utmost care eased Nita's head back.
Now it's waiting game as they wait for a reaction, a change something. The air becomes heavy with anticipation, fear and worry gripping their hearts like a beast that won't let go.
One minute passed, then two, three, four, five, six minutes passed and on the seventh minute Nita's body began to twitch as her burning fever faded.
Nita squinted her eyes as she slowly opened her eyes. Her vision blurry as things took shape. She grabbed her head and gowned.
"How long have I—"
Hugh!
Before Nita could finish Star hugged her tight as her tears soaked Nita's shoulder.
Nita's eyes widened, but smiled as she hugged Star with her trembling hands.
Star's voice barely above a whispers. "Welcome back airhead."
Haruto smiled softly, "I'm really glad we accepted that… deal. Nita you'd rest for a while than we can talk, if want."
Star released Nita, whipping her tears away. "Do you even know how much you made us worry?"
"S-sorry…" Nita said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Nita glanced around her eyes searching for J… but he wasn't anywhere to be seen.
"L-Lina where… is J?" Nita asked.
Lina lowered her gaze before forcing a smile. "W-well, don't worry about him. Actually wait here I'll get you something to drink."
Lina quickly ran out of the room.
"Was that the best choice? Of course not, but I was never good at revealing hard truths so it's for the best I left." She thought to herself.
"Lina!" Nita exclaimed, her voice low as she extended her hand.
But Lina had already left. Then Nita turned to Haruto, her voice soft and laced with worry. "Ha-Haruto? Where's J? Is he training or something?"
Haruto shook his head, he looked away. "Forget about him and focus on recovering."
Cough! Cough!
"B-but why?" Nita asked as she knitted her eyebrows.
Star grabbed Nita's hand, smiling faintly. "It's for the better. Just rest for we can talk about him later…" Star stared at the ground, her tone somber. "After all he isn't going to return anytime soon."
Nita narrowed her eyes, tilting her head she asked. "What do you mean by— he isn't going to come back anytime soon?"
Haruto shook his hand dismissively, "Just forget it, you have to focus on your recovery."
Nita's grip tightened on the blanket, she shook her head. "No, no, no! Tell me where he is? I know him better than anyone, that he will never leave me alone when I'm ill."
Haruto looked away, then he stared at Nita his gaze sharp. "J… J betrayed us, he joined Noctis."
Nita's eyes widened, shook her head in denial. "No-no that can't be, J would never."
Star placed her hand on Nita's shoulder, she locked her gaze with Haruto her tone sharp and defensive. "Haruto!!! Why are you telling the half truth? You know very well J, didn't betrayed us."
Haruto covered his face. "So, what do you want me to say? That J sacrificed himself and joined Noctis only so that he can get the cure."
Nita's body froze, she shook her head rapidly her heart pounding slamming against her chest.
Star grabbed Nita by her shoulders, "Calm down! Take a deep breath."
Hounh! Hounh!
Nita took a deep breath and exhaled, her voice barely above a whisper, "No, I'm okay. But… but is it true that… J left because of— me?"
Hatuto nodded. "Yes, he did. But… don't blame yourself. I'm sure he'll return especially if he sees you again." He paused, "Let's go save him after you recover and we get a little stronger."
A slight smile formed on Nita's face, "Yeah, let's do that. We'll save J no matter what."
Meanwhile far, far, away from the kingdom of Linares on the edge of the Jared-Leto Noctis stood with unshakable confidence in front of the Hydra's layer.