Chapter Text
Fifty Years Ago
Olympus
"Are you just going to spend yet another day locked up in your room reading?"
The question stirs you from your concentration, and you glance up from the tanned pages of your book to peer at your unwelcomed intruder, who's watching you with an irritated expression.
"Good morning, Riku. Pleasure to see you, too," you greet, your gaze flitting back to the print of your novel. "Shouldn't you be working?"
"Just finished my duties down on Earth, smart ass," he retorts, plucking the book from your hands and fanning through the pages. "... Romance? Really?" he adds with a dry expression once he skims a few chapters.
"Give me that," you snap, roughly grabbing the book and craddling it against your chest. "It's not just romance. It's an adventure novel."
Riku's aquamarine eyes hold yours for a moment before he gives a sniffle of displeasure and glances away.
"Whatever. I'm bored and I figured you were too," he finally reasons.
"Well, I'm not. Go find someone else," you brush off as you lean back in your seat and attempt to read once again.
Riku watches you, his expression blank but his mind racing through a rollercoaster of thoughts. As dumb as he can act sometimes, you know he's one of the smarter Gods on Olympus. With a sigh you drop your book in your lap and look up with a pained face, recognizing that he won't be leaving anytime soon.
"What is it?" you ask, officially giving up on getting any reading done this morning.
Far-off adventures will have to wait for now.
"Nothing, nothing," Riku concedes with a wave of his hand as he rests his lower back on your desk, turning slightly to face you and standing closer than you'd like. "It's just, you know you're gonna have to actually take over your mother's duties someday, right?"
"You kidding?" you laugh. "Try telling her that. She's living forever, as she reminds me daily."
Riku's lip curl up in a smirk before he gives a casual shrug of his shoulder and turns his face so that he's peering out the window. Being so high in the air, hundreds of miles above the highest mountain's peak on Earth, all that can be seen is dark blue skies and wisps of thick clouds.
"I guess," he hums, not wanting to start another argument. "I just feel like you must feel... unfulfilled most of the time. It bothers me."
"I do," you hesitantly agree, not eager to admit to holding onto such thoughts. "It's not easy living in my mother's shadow, but she does let me assist her in forging and enabling relationships on Earth. It's not as if I'm just sitting up here reading day in and day out."
"Did you actually just say that with a straight face?" he asks with a chuckle, though his smile quickly falls as a shriek is heard from the hallway, just beyond your closed bedroom door.
You sit up a little straighter, following his gaze as you both glance towards the door. Muffled frantic chatter is heard, as well as the stampeding of feet.
"What's going on?" you question, your voice softer than intended, but the God merely stands up without a response. "Riku?" you press, standing up as well and following closely after him as he starts to head towards the door.
"Just stay here," he hastily tells you as he opens the door and steps out into the hall.
With a roll of your eyes and a scoff you ignore his advice and continue to follow after him, allowing your door to slowly close as your fingers release the door handle. You want to ask him again what's going on, but you know full well the question is futile. He clearly knows as much as you do, which is nothing.
The hallways are empty, though voices and conversations are echoing throughout the halls, carried by the thick marble walls and floors. As you turn the corner, you spot some kind of a commotion happening inside of Ansem's throne room, as there's a throng of people milling around, whispering in hushed voices.
"This is really weird," you tell Riku as his marching slows considerably, still trying to figure out what's the matter.
"You don't want to go in there."
You glance to the left at the sound of an unknown voice directed your way. Immediately upon looking at him, you recognize him as the infamous God of War. In all the years you've lived on Olympus, you've only spoken a handful of times, none of which were pleasant conversations.
"What?" Riku asks, still trying to wrap his mind around the unusual scene of panicked Gods and Goddesses.
For a few seconds, blank golden eyes stay locked on your smaller frame before they flit up to Riku.
"Trust me. Don't let her go inside," Vanitas states, giving you one last look before he brushes past you, maneuvering through the crowd and away from the chaos.
"I don't like him," you tell Riku, watching the elusive God of War move away in an almost fluid-like manner.
"I'd like to give the cliché 'give him a chance, he grows on you' defense, but he really doesn't," Riku sighs, shaking his head before he looks down at you. "I'm gonna find out what's going on. Stay here."
"What?" you call out as the God quickly leaves your side. "You don't get to try to ditch me twice!"
"[Name] –"
He tries to get you to stop, but before he can even peer over his shoulder, you're already shoving him out of the way and pushing through the crowd of Gods and Goddesses. It doesn't take a genius to notice that they're all moving out of your way, giving you a direct path to Ansem's office as they shoot you looks of sympathy and sorrow.
But it's too late to stop you, as you're through the doorway before Riku can even reach a hand towards you.
The first thing you see is Ansem kneeling on the ground, his head bowed and his shoulders hunched. He's not speaking, and just from his body language you can tell something is terribly wrong. Before you can take a step further inside, someone grabs you by the lower arm and pulls you to the side.
"Why are you in here?" Ven asks, his blue eyes wide with concern.
You wonder why his eyes are so blue, and that's when you notice the red marks marring his pale skin around his eyes. He's been crying.
"What happened?" you ask, ignoring his question to instead pose one of your own.
"Let her in," Ansem speaks up, his voice booming and severe.
Ven opens his mouth to argue as he looks over at the most senior God, but he almost immediately snaps it closed and slowly releases your hand in compliance. You give him one last confused look before you move forward, the room almost spinning as anticipation races through your entire being.
Your legs feel gelatinous, each step weighted and awkward as you walk towards your leader. You've never heard in speak in such a manner. It's unnerving, to see the King of the Gods emotional.
But just as you start to run through all possible scenarios, that's when you realize Ansem's kneeling before a lifeless body. The dress is a familiar shade of red, with hair similar to yours fanned about the floor. No words escape your mouth as tears begin to well in your eyes, your heart leaping to your throat as your stomach ties in knots.
"M-Mom?" you stammer, your eyes locked in horror at her blood pooling underneath her body and staining the stark white marble floor.
Her eyes are open, wide, staring up at the ceiling and as glassy as a frozen lake. A thin trail of blood falls from her lips, yet she's beautiful even in death.
Ven watches with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach as you collapse over your mother's body, hugging her flesh to you as a loud sob rings through the otherwise silent room. He drags his gaze from the sight as he turns his head to wipe a tear from his cheek.
And that's when he sees Xehanort standing in the doorway, a lopsided smirk on his face as he watches the sight with a sadistic sense of victory.
"What'd you do?" Ven hisses at him.
Amber eyes meet blue, and Xehanort raises a wrinkled hand to his chest.
"Ah, my youngest son," he hums, giving the blond a bow of his head. "I am merely here to pay my respects to a fallen soldier."
Ven's eyes narrow as Xehanort's gaze meets his once more, that same smirk on his face as he takes a step back and out of the room. The wooden doors slam shut with a boom, separating him from the horrible scene unfolding before Ven's eyes.
He peers over at you, his lips slightly pursed as he wonders for a moment if he's going crazy. A God killing a fellow Goddess? It's not unheard of, but it's extraordinarily rare. Though with the horrible war waging below amongst the mortals, is it so hard to believe that perhaps Xehanort committed such an unthinkable act? Especially against a woman with whom there's no love lost between the two.
But for what gain?
"Will you train her?"
Ansem's voice pulls Ven from his thoughts, as he shifts his gaze from you to the God now standing before him.
"She will be taking over her mother's responsibilities. But with what happened..." Ansem trails off for a second to look back at your mother's form, his face pulled into an expression of grief. "Until we know who is responsible for this act, the daughter must be looked after. At least until she finds her footing as a God. Will you accept this task, Ventus?" he continues, his eyes meeting Ven's.
"So it was murder?" Ven asks, confirming his suspicions.
"Is that a yes?" Ansem counters with the raise of a single, white eyebrow.
Ven's bright blue eyes flit to your crumpled figure, watching as you gently brush your mother's hair from her face.
"... It's a yes," Ven agrees with a nod of his head.
[♥]
Lucis – Present Day
After an unsurprisingly unpleasant visit with the unsurprisingly unpleasant Xehanort, Vanitas meandered through the winding canyons of the Underworld before he finally made it to the surface. From there, he vanished in a cloud of black smoke, re-appearing in the large foyer of the Palace of Lucis just before the hallway leading to the guards' quarters.
"And just where have you been?" Ven asks, stepping out from behind a tall stone pillar.
"Dude. Were you waiting for me this whole time?" Vanitas chuckles, shaking his head in annoyance as he starts to march towards the bedrooms.
"No," Ven replies just a little too quickly, and he gives a sigh of defeat as his brother shoots him a disbelieving look. "... Okay, maybe for a few minutes," he ultimately concedes.
"Knew it. Don't you have anything better to do?" Vanitas snaps, shoulder-checking Ven as he walks past.
"Sorry for being worried about you," Ven mutters as he follows after him.
"No need to be."
"It's you. Of course I'm worried about where you are, especially under these circumstances. So where were you?" Ven presses, his voice coming out slow and deliberate.
"Since when did you turn into Dad?" Vanitas teases with a scathing laugh.
"Vanitas," Ven calls out, trailing after his brother. "Is it so bad you can't tell me?"
"What the fuck, you're not my guardian," Vanitas scoffs, shooting the blond a narrowed glare as he glances down at him and comes to a stop.
"No, but I don't trust you."
The two hold the other's attention as they stand still, watching each other with apprehension and hesitation. Finally, Vanitas sighs and gives a roll of his golden eyes, giving into that bright blue gaze.
"I saw our father, okay? To find out if he's involved with all of..." he trails off to gesture around the hallway, "...this."
"It's forbidden to speak to him," Ven swiftly points out as he tries to wrap his mind around what he's hearing.
"Yeah, and what's Ansem gonna do? Banish me too? I was trying to help. You're welcome," Vanitas murmurs, once again brushing past his brother and down the hall.
"Involving him helps no one. He needs to be kept as far removed from this as possible!" Ven argues.
"Even if he's the one pulling the strings and trying to start another war?" Vanitas counters.
"He's not."
"Okay," Vanitas laughs disbelievingly, running a hand through his hair as he glances over his shoulder at the long hallway behind them. "Have fun being naïve as always. Where's [Name]?"
When he doesn't hear a response, Vanitas peers down at his brother in a subtle manner. He swears he notices Ven's eye twitch at his question.
"Why?" Ven finally replies.
"Ah. You don't know where your girlfriend is? Sorry," he mocks with a biting laugh. "Whatever, I'll go find her. Thanks for the lecture, little bro."
Vanitas takes a sharp left, moving quickly down a narrow corridor leading to the main entrance of the palace. Ven watches him for a moment before sighing and jogging after him.
"Why do you need to talk to her? And what happened to you being too cool to help any of us out?" Ven asks sarcastically.
"Do you ever shut up?" Vanitas muses with a groan as his head falls back and a headache threatens to burst to life. "I came down here with you guys to help, okay? So... I'm helping. Simple as that."
Ven merely blinks a few times in silence before he gives a sharp nod.
"Okay, Van. Thanks."
"Fucking finally," Vanitas celebrates the end of this questioning.
"How was dad anyway?" Ven adds, raising his eyebrows in curiosity.
"Still an asshole."
"Of course," Ven chuckles with a shake of his head. "Some things never change I guess."
"No, they don't," Vanitas agrees, an acidic bite to his voice as his eyes lock on you following after the Prince of Lucis, the two of you bickering about something. "A tiger can't change its stripes."
Ven forgets to respond, as he's now always engrossed in watching you speak to the Prince. Noctis, is it? Whatever his name is, he suddenly feels a strong dislike for the man, watching as the Prince's eyes remain stuck on you like a magnet. It's pathetic, he realizes, being a God and still feeling that sink in his gut at such an innocuous sight.
But what else can he expect when he falls for someone whose job is to conduct and encourage love?
Meanwhile, you're so busy fuming at just how pompous Noctis is that it takes him disappearing into the dining hall before you notice the two brothers standing at the entrance of a long, narrow corridor just watching you like hawks.
"What's your problem?" you call out to them, causing them to realize that you've spotted them.
"Didn't know you're friends with the Prince," Ven speaks up as you start to saunter towards them.
"Oh, him? No, he's the worst," you complain with a groan. "How're your mornings going so far?" you add, glancing between the brothers as you walk between them and down the hallway.
"Uneventful," Vanitas replies, taking a moment to follow after you so as not to look desperate to be near you.
"Uneventful, if spending time with our father means 'uneventful,'" Ven retorts, shooting his brother a smirk as he's shot a glare.
"You saw Xehanort?" you ask, the smile wiped from your face as you look up at Vanitas. It's funny, how quickly your voice went from happy to tense. Xehanort tends to do that to you. To anyone, really. "Vanny... After everything he's done to you," you add with a dejected sigh.
"No need to remind me," Vanitas agrees. "Guy's an asshole. I just wanted to see what he knew."
"And?" you press.
"Nothing. Claims he didn't even know about what's going on here."
"Yeah, right," you laugh with a roll of your eyes. "Well, thanks for trying, I guess."
"You owe me," Vanitas decides, a smug look on his face as you give a snort of amusement.
"The day I owe you anything, is the day pigs fly," you retort, unaware of Ven's narrowed eyes of distrust at the two of you.
He liked it better when he was the only brother you were friends with.
"This is us," Ven speaks up, nodding down the wide hallway to left as they exit the corridor. "Have any plans today?"
"None, besides handmaid chores," you reply with a shrug. "Oh!" you exclaim with a sudden grin. "Did you guys hear what's happening tomorrow?"
The double blank expressions tell you that they didn't.
"The delegation from Niflheim is arriving in the morning," you explain, still grinning like a madwoman.
"Really?" Vanitas asks with a tick of his brow.
"How'd you hear?" Ven adds.
"Riku, of course," you explain.
"Of course," Ven repeats with a chuckle.
"Can we all get together tonight, to brainstorm?" you request, your eyes wide with anticipation.
"Sure," Ven agrees with an eager nod.
"Maybe," Vanitas clarifies.
"It's okay, we don't need you anyway," you tell him with a sweet smile.
"Nice lie."
"Who's lying?" Riku asks, interrupting the conversation as he approaches the three of you, wearing a guard's uniform instead of his work out clothes.
"[Name], as always," Vanitas retorts.
"Funny, because last I checked I'm not the one sneaking off to the Underworld," you reply.
"Ouch," Ven laughs as Vanitas shoots you a glare.
"The Underworld? Why?" Riku asks.
"Wow, Riku doesn't know something. Alert the presses," Vanitas dryly responds, clearly done with this conversation as he storms down the hall and away from you guys.
"Where are you going?" you call out after him.
"Out!" he yells, giving a flick of his wrist as the door leading to the guards' corridor slams shut, giving a whoosh of air down the hallway.
"I really dislike him sometimes," you tell the two remaining Gods.
"He can be reckless," Riku agrees, though he silently thinks to himself that that's why you two tend to get along so well. "Why'd he go to the Underworld anyway?"
"To talk to our father. As expected, he didn't learn anything. Dad's still dad, after all," Ven mutters.
Parenthood on Olympus isn't exactly how it is amongst the humans. Children are born only to carry on the legacy of their parents, and are raised through books and the assistance of older kids. It's a miracle any of you are somewhat normal.
"Glad to hear he came back in one piece," Riku comments.
"I guess," Ven murmurs in hesitant agreement.
"Shoot, you know, I should get going," you realize, thumbing behind you and down the opposite hall. "I told Naminé I'd be back in an hour. It's probably almost the end of breakfast now."
"Yeah, see you tonight," Riku says with a wave.
"After dinner, we'll all get together to discuss the arrival of Niflheim," Ven adds, giving you a reassuring nod.
"Great. Thanks, guys. Enjoy your day of standing around," you tell them, wiggling your fingers at them in a flirtatious farewell as you turn around and meander down the hall.
Your pace is slow, almost lazy as you make your way down the hallway towards the dining hall. There's so many questions running through your mind right now, and the knowledge that Niflheim will be arriving in Lucis in less than 24 hours is enough to cause your heart to race uncontrollably. The feelings send you through a massive adrenaline rush, the aftermath of which causes you to feel crippling exhaustion.
It makes you feel like a child, but right now all you need is to sleep.
[♥]
The air is cold and exacting, as Roxas finds himself once more standing atop the mountain peak where all of this began. White pillars surround him, and the darkness is pierced by dozens of lit torches strewn about the area.
The same woman who spoke to him for the first time just a few days ago rests on the ground in front of him, gasping and panting for air as incense burns in a bowl filled with coals in front of her. As she inhales the scent, she gives a rough groan before croaking out a faint, "come closer."
Roxas does, kneeling before the woman he now knows is an Elder as he bows his head down, so he can better hear her. Without sparing a glance at the blond, the woman reaches out a pale hand, her fingers covering his eyes.
"See what I see."
His eyes now closed, a soft gasp escapes his lips as new surroundings appear. Lucis, as it looks now – at peace. He's standing at the entrance to the palace, at the top of the staircase watching as a Lucian guard with black hair holds onto a man wearing a long brown cloak. It must be the Niflheim soldier who tried to attack a handmaid, judging by the way he's being treated.
Roxas does a double-take when he realizes you're standing there as well, dressed in your handmaid robes as you speak to the guard. He can't hear what's being said, but it's clear you're arguing, as if you're old friends.
Then, out of nowhere, you start to walk away. The dark-haired guard calls out your name, and you turn around just in time to watch as he grabs the soldier by the neck and twists. A sickening snap rings through the air, and the man falls to the ground, completely limp. You run forward, desperately grabbing the soldier as the guard watches with a blank expression. He suddenly vanishes into thin air, just as Roxas' doppelgänger jogs out of the palace and towards you.
Before he reaches you, the scene disappears in white mist, and Roxas is transported to a dark, dank chamber. An older man looks out the window, watching as the world around him burns. A man dressed all in black with violet-colored hair stands beside him, in silence. The sounds are muffled, but Roxas can clearly make out the younger man say, "The fleet's arriving in Lucis tomorrow."
And then, in the blink of an eye, Roxas is back on the mountaintop, staring at the woman lying before him.
"The Gods are meddling in the affairs of mortals," the Elder states, her voice raspy and harsh. "In Lucis, and Niflheim."
"The... Gods?" Roxas repeats, his brows furrowed in confusion. "They walk amongst us?"
"They do when trouble is afoot. The God of War killed a soldier of Niflheim while wearing the seal of Lucis. The Goddess of Love, protector of Lucis, watched and did nothing. The God of Hunt and the Sun hid the body to protect his brother. These are acts of war against Niflheim, and will be considered as such should its leaders catch wind of these actions. And they will find out, as the God of Death still has eyes and ears on Earth despite his banishment."
"T-Those are... Gods?" Roxas breathlessly asks, his heart racing as his eyes widen.
"Some of them, yes. More are involved, and more will come, should this continue."
"Am I supposed to stop this?"
"You cannot. The die has been cast. Nothing can stop what's to come. But you can help them. Great devastation will visit Lucis, as you have seen from the visions I share with you. But what the Gods cherish most, is the loyalty of humans. Go to them. Be their eyes and ears. They will embrace you with open arms."
"I've... kind of already met one of them," Roxas admits as he scratches the back of his neck.
The woman actually smiles at that statement.
"Oh, child, you've met more than one. They are masters of deception, and can fool even the smartest of men."
Silence follows, as Roxas' lips pull into a frown. A gust of wind blows through his hair, causing a shiver to run up his spine at the chill of the air.
"Why are you telling me this?" Roxas questions. "I thought the Elders were impartial observers."
"We are," she argues with a bite to her voice. "But there is no such thing as impartiality when it comes to Xehanort. He is plotting the destruction of Olympus, the Gods, and humanity, to pave a way to his leadership over all. He almost succeeded once. This cannot happen."
"... I understand," Roxas hesitantly agrees with a slow nod. "I'll do what I can."
"Be well, young priest."
His world then goes dark, before blinding light grows. Roxas groans, a splitting headache threatening to rip him apart as his eyes slowly open. The worst part about receiving visions is the headaches that follow.
He suddenly sits up, a hand covering his mouth as he remembers what he just saw. Gods, here in Lucis, and in the Underworld... Of course he's always known they're real, but never in a million years did he ever think he'd actually lay eyes on one, let alone a handful of them.
"Have a good sleep?"
He actually releases a yelp at the intrusion, pulling up his blankets as his eyes scan the room. Perched on the desk next to his bed is Axel, watching him with an unreadable glint to his emerald eyes.
"What are you doing in my room?" Roxas asks, sounding almost offended.
"Well, I figured we should have a proper introduction," Axel states, a hand resting on his chest as he starts to smile. "After all, you're now... aware of what's going on, yes?"
Roxas merely blinks a few times before his eyes slightly widen in realization.
"You're a God," he whispers, barely able to believe what he's saying.
"Bingo! God of Fire, nice to meet ya," Axel introduces, giving a flip of his flaming red hair before holding out his hand and summoning a single flame in his palm.
"No way," Roxas mutters, eyes locked on the flame before it disappears with a swish of his hand. "You're a God."
"And you're a prophet for an Elder," Axel comments with a knowing nod. "Congrats, by the way. Not an easy gig to get. They're pretty antisocial."
"... Thanks," Roxas replies with a soft chuckle. "Wow. I cant believe this is actually real," he adds, running a hand through his hair as he tries to come to grips with everything he's learned.
"'Course it is," Axel agrees. "And now, you're gonna help us. Right?"
Roxas keeps running his hand through his hair as his blue eyes flit up to Axel.
"How can I help you?"
Axel's grin only widens at that question.
"I'm sure we can think of a few ways," he muses as he stands from the desk.
"We?" Roxas repeats, following Axel's lead and starting to get out of his bed.
"It's not just me that's living here," Axel reminds him as Roxas throws on his priest's robe over his sleeping attire. "I think it's time for you to meet my brothers and sister."
"How many are here?" Roxas asks as the two exit his room and head into the hall.
"Besides me?" Axel assumes. "Four."
"Five Gods in Lucis... This place must be the safest city in the world right now," Roxas chuckles.
Axel gives a bitter laugh as he looks down at his friend.
"You have a lot to learn, kid. We're good, but what we're up against is better."
"What are we up against, besides the God of Death?" Roxas questions.
One God versus five seems like a pretty simple fight, to him.
"Like I said, lots to learn. With Xehanort, it's never just him. He has an army behind him," Axel explains.
"But... you have the God of War on your side?" Roxas remembers.
A barking laugh escapes Axel's mouth as he shakes his head a few times.
"Vanitas' loyalty is non-existent. Whatever brings the most amount of death and conflict, he'll do. After all – he's not supposed to end wars."
"I guess..."
Roxas' head is swimming, but there's at least one thing Axel said that he understands – he has a lot to learn.
[♥]
The day was pure insanity, plain and simple. The entire palace was under high stress to ensure everything was perfect to prepare for guests tomorrow. Everything had to be dusted, and washed, and organized so that even the most critical mind could find no faults. You weren't even able to take a nap, as the second you reached the handmaid's quarters that morning you had been dragged away by Naminé and Kairi with an angry Larxene breathing down your neck.
The soft sound of someone calling out your name draws you from your internal fuming at spending an entire day doing manual labor, and you glance over your shoulder to see Iris jogging towards you.
"Hiya!" she greets with a wide smile as she skids to a stop in front of you. "I haven't seen you in so long!"
The two of you are standing just outside the dining hall, where you're posted tonight to greet guests.
"I know! How have you been? Enjoying your stay in Lucis?" you ask her.
"Very much so! It's great getting to spend some time with my brother," she replies, rocking back and forth on her heels. "Is being a handmaid everything you thought it would be?"
"... Sure," you slowly respond, releasing a soft laugh as she starts to giggle at your sarcasm. "Honestly, it's fine. The work isn't too hard, and this is such a beautiful place to live. Hard to complain."
"Right? I feel like a princess living here," she jokes with a smile.
"Aren't you kind of one? With who your brother is?" you question as the halls start to fill with hungry guests.
"Not in the slightest," she replies, though her gaze moves from you to someone behind you as she speaks.
You look back to see the infamous quartet walking towards you – Prompto, Noctis, and the two men you have yet to formally meet... Gladiolus and Ignis.
"Should my ears be burning?" Gladio asks, pulling his sister into a hug as his bulky arm wraps around her neck.
"I can't breathe," she complains, clawing at his arms until he releases her with a chuckle. "Never do that again."
"Noted."
"So how are you tonight, [Name]?" Prompto asks, his grin as bright as his eyes.
"Just fine. How about you guys?" you reply with a smile that matches his.
"We're great!" he exclaims, his arms slightly rising in the air in enthusiasm.
"I also don't believe we've met," the man wearing glasses who you recognize is Ignis states as he holds a hand out. "Ignis Scientia, and Gladiolus Amicitia," he adds as you take his hand, and he gives yours a firm shake as he nods to the bulky man standing beside him.
"Nice to meet you," Gladio says as he grabs your hand in his, actually managing to force you to cringe in pain at his mere strength.
A Goddess hurt by a human. Embarrassing on your part.
"I'm [Name]. Nice to meet you two," you repeat, smiling through the pain as you shake his hand.
"Let's go eat," Noctis decides, his gaze locked on yours as he steps beside his friends.
"Good to see you too, Noctis," you greet with a fake grin, which he doesn't return.
His only response is a gruff grunt, his eyes finally leaving yours as he glances towards the open doors leading to the dining hall.
"Yeah," he finally agrees before walking forward, his shoulder brushing against yours as he heads into the hall.
"He's gonna warm up to me, huh?" you ask Prompto with a teasing grin.
"Eventually, yeah!" he replies, giving you a thumbs up as he follows his best friend.
Ignis gives you a nod of farewell as Gladio says: "Thanks for taking care of my sister during the journey here."
"Oh... No problem," you tell him with a smile, waving at the two as they follow the others inside of the dining hall.
"I'm gonna head inside too, but we should catch up soon," Iris states once the two of you are alone again. "You're a good person to talk to, [Name]."
"As are you. Enjoy your meal, Iris," you tell her with a smile, watching as she trails after her brother into the hall.
You wait for a couple minutes, until the last person enters the room. A few minutes after that, you dart inside, eager to witness what's going on. Just as your luck allows, the second you walk inside, King Regis has started his speech.
"Thank you for joining us tonight," he speaks with a booming voice. "Tomorrow, our friends in Niflheim will join us here," he adds, and the room chuckles with laughter at the prospect of being friends with such a people. "We must all be prepared for what might come with their visit. Everyone must be on their best behavior, with eyes wide open for anything that might be unusual. There's no reason to dwell on what might happen... but it's for the best of Lucis that we remain aware of the dangers, and awake to their repercussions. Now, enjoy your meals, and do your best to enjoy yourselves."
"Riveting speech," you hear Riku speak up, and you glance to your right to see he, Ven, and Vanitas standing next to you, dressed as guards from Lucis.
"Is he wrong?" you ask.
"Not at all," Ven disagrees. "It should be good to be aware of what's going on, and to try to have some fun."
"Do you even know what fun means?" Vanitas asks.
"No," you answer for the blond, earning a smack on the arm.
Just at that moment, soft music plays throughout the room. Holding the pitcher of water handed wordlessly to you by Larxene as she moves past you, you head into the crowd, ready to celebrate your last night before the appearance of Niflheim.
Hours pass, as you continually walk around and refill empty glasses. Water turns to wine, and the room starts to get a little rowdy. You even steal a glass or two while Larxene isn't looking, laughing to yourself the entire time that your 'rebellion' has turned into sneaking wine. Life as a human is strange, compared to life as a Goddess.
Once the last guests have filtered out of the room, you head out as well. You should stay behind and clean, but there's much planning to be done to prepare for the arrival of Niflheim's delegation. You lazily open the door to your room, finding Riku, Ven, and Vanitas already in there and sprawled about on your couch and chairs.
"What took you so long?" Vanitas asks, a hint of irritation to his voice.
"I was doing my job, like you guys are supposed to be doing," you retort as you throw yourself down on your bed.
"Y'know, I think you're taking this 'blending in' a little too seriously. You don't need to actually do chores," Riku tells you.
"You're just lazy," you respond, fluffing up a pillow before placing it under your chin as you lie on your stomach to face them. "So... What's the plan?"
"Hard to plan too much until we know who's coming here from Niflheim," Ven points out. "If it's a group of low level politicians, all of this might be for naught."
"And if it's the King? The Prince? Army Commanders? Then what?" you press.
Before anyone can respond, there's a loud knock at your door. You glance to the door before groaning and sitting up, shuffling over and swinging it open to reveal Axel.
"What do you want?" you ask, though you step aside to grant him entrance.
"Thanks for the invite," he mutters with a roll of his eyes before his mood suddenly shifts and he starts to grin. "I guess I should have RVSP'd plus one."
"Can you get to the point already?" Vanitas snaps.
"Oh, I'm getting there," Axel calls out in a sing-song voice before he glances to his right. "C'mon in."
"Who are you talking to?" Riku asks as he stands up from the couch.
No one needs to answer the question though, as Roxas steps into view, taking Axel's place as the redhead walking into your room. Roxas stares inside, taking in the surprised expressions you're all sporting.
"He knows," Axel speaks up, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "An Elder visited him, told him of our presence."
"Meddling bitches," Vanitas grumbles.
"I won't speak of your presence to anyone," Roxas states, stepping into the room and allowing your door to close behind him. "You have my word. The Elder said... I'm to help you. To be your eyes and ears."
"The King does trust him," Riku points out.
"How do you know about that?" Roxas asks, then feels like an idiot for asking such a question.
"Riku knows everything," you tell him.
"Wait, do you even know who they really are yet?" Axel asks the blond as he points to the four of you.
He knew the Elders told him Gods were in Lucis, but not if she revealed who those Gods are.
"Uh, I think so," Roxas agrees with a nod. "If your name's Riku, then you must be the God of Knowledge," he states with a look at the silver-haired male. "Ventus, God of the Hunt and the Sun... My God at the temple," he adds with a small smile to himself. "[Name], Goddess of Love... and Vanitas, God of War."
"You really have been visited by an Elder," Ven muses with an impressed tick of his eyebrows.
"I really have."
"You're quite calm, for being around us," you point out.
"Well... We're on the same side, right?" he guesses. "I just want to do what I can to help the Gods. It would be my greatest honor in life."
"So what's the plan?" Axel asks with a smile. "I'm sure you guys have something up your sleeves already."
"We will, once we know who's coming to visit. Kind of up in the air right now honestly," Riku responds.
"Do you have any snacks? I'm starving," Axel adds, looking over at you.
"Seriously? Get your own snacks," you retort as you make your way to your bed once more.
As the five of you start to bicker, Roxas just stands with his back against the door, soaking in the sight. You're all so casual and comfortable with each other, laughing like old friends instead of powerful deities. And here he is, witness to a gathering of the Gods who are disguised as handmaids, guards, and priests... It's surreal, like something out of a storybook. Not something that happens to random, nobody priests.
Definitely not something that happens to him.
"You gonna keep being a wallflower, or are you gonna come over here?"
Vanitas' question pulls him from his thoughts as Roxas looks over at the God, who's lounging in a chair and watching him with an expression of vague distrust. His golden eyes are blank, silently judging the mortal and his worth.
"Sorry," he mutters, a sheepish smile growing on his face as he walks further into the room and takes a seat next to Riku on the couch.
Feeling a pair of eyes on him, Roxas glances back to see you staring at him quite openly from your position on your bed. There's a small smile on your face, which widens as you realize he's now looking back at you. He swallows hard and stares forward again, down at his hands clutched together in his lap. His chest is tight and his breathing is shallow, and he can hear you giggling lightly to yourself behind him.
Something tells him you've only just started playing your infamous game.