Hearing the door creak open, Noctis lazily cracked open one eye, his gaze drifting from Sunny to the two unfamiliar figures behind him—Klaus and Kai. With a dramatic sigh, he rolled off the divan and landed unceremoniously on the floor, yawning so extravagantly that a dozen amphoras tumbled down from their precarious places. They shattered in a chorus of breaking ceramic, splattering crimson wine across the velvet carpets like spilled blood on silk.
"Ah, Sunless! What an unexpected delight," Noctis drawled, sweeping his gaze languidly over his visitors. His voice was melodic, rich with drunken amusement. "And… oh my… you brought guests? What a stunning man! A pleasure to make your acquaintance, whoever you are. Welcome… ah, to my quarters."
He turned his glassy eyes to Klaus next. The mood in the room shifted.
Sunny and Kai's expressions tightened in sync, realization dawning: they were in the presence of not one, but two madmen—both of whom were intoxicated. Delightful.
Noctis lingered on Klaus a moment longer, a visible shudder running down his spine. His smile grew strained.
"And this one… another fine specimen. But, my friend…" he murmured, voice dipping, "...why do you reek of the void?"
Klaus went rigid. His eyes widened, a flicker of unease passing through him. How did he know? The sensation was all too familiar—like when Eurys or Azarax had mentioned it. Was it the scent? No… I don't smell… wait. Smoke. Liquor. Shit. His eyes narrowed. Bloody hell. I feel like homeless guy!
"I believe there's a misunderstanding," Klaus replied smoothly, though a bead of sweat glistened at his temple. "A void? I can't seem to understand what you mean..."
Noctis smirked but said nothing more, eyes gleaming with mischief. Kai and Sunny exchanged glances. Void? the word hung heavy in the air. It reminded Sunny of when Mordret had once mentioned that he smelled of Dreamspawn because of his bond with Nephis. Was Noctis perceiving something similar?
With a dazzling grin, Noctis waved a hand—wine-stained shards vanished, as though erased by reality itself. He sauntered over to a table, plucked a ripe apple, and turned to them with a curious expression.
"To what do I owe the honor of this visit?"
Wasn't it supposed to be the other way around? Sunny frowned, briefly glancing at Kai, who was watching the immortal sorcerer with mild fascination.
Clearing his throat, Sunny stepped forward. "Actually, I come bearing good news. You recall those friends I spoke of? I've found two."
Noctis blinked at Kai, then at Klaus, chewing thoughtfully. "Ah yes. The mysterious companions you were meant to find after visiting a nonexistent island… without knowing their names, appearances, or locations. And they just so happened to be here in my Sanctuary? What an incredible stroke of fortune."
Klaus grinned, unfazed. "Yeah, I just kinda spawned here."
Sunny smiled politely, choosing to ignore him.
"Indeed. This is Nightingale, my dear friend—a voice like an angel's, and a face to match… and then there's Klaus." He faltered.
Kai offered a respectful bow and a gentle smile. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Noctis."
The sorcerer winced, glancing about as though someone might overhear. "Sunless… please, never speak of those creatures again. Angels are not to be invoked—neither in jest nor in reverence."
Klaus remained silent, but his grimace was telling. Angels, in truth, were no messengers of light—they were abominations of the void. At least, that was what Eurys had once claimed.
He exhaled sharply, using a thread of essence to purge the alcohol from his blood.
"I'm Klaus. Known by many names and bearing many faces. I wouldn't say I'm that Treacherous Shadow's dear friend, but… I am the strongest in this little group. You've likely seen the phoenix outside. She's mine. Actually…" he paused, eyes narrowing, "...now that I think about it, I don't even need a cohort. I am a cohort, all on my own."
Sunny rolled his eyes with disdain. Kai, ever diplomatic, smiled humbly. Noctis, however, threw his head back and laughed.
"Splendid! A phoenix, you say? Marvellous! Dragons are already a dying rarity, and phoenixes even more so! To think such a being roosts in the Kingdom of Hope—fascinating! A creature born of Soul Flames, touched by the blood of the Sun God himself… Like the Sun Prince. Like Sevras."
Sunny and Kai froze. Sun God's bloodline?!
Kai's mind reeled—no wonder she was so powerful. She had slaughtered ten Awakened and two Ascended with terrifying ease. Yes, Kai had helped… but he had no illusions. Hemera could have handled the final warrior on her own.
Klaus casually took a seat and motioned to Sunny.
"Get on with the negotiations. My turn comes after."
Sunny nodded and folded two of his four arms across his chest. "I'll give you the location of the Shadow Lord's knife. But in return, I require… assistance."
Noctis studied him for a long moment, then his lips curled into a grin. "Assistance? Why, my dear Sunless, I am the most helpful individual in this kingdom."
Sunny raised finger. "First, we want your help rescuing one of our own."
He paused, then raised a second. "Oh, and also… I want coins. Lots of Noctis coins."
The sorcerer bit into his apple with measured silence. After a moment, he chuckled.
"Well… I might be able to grant one of your two wishes. Possibly. Now, tell me—where is your friend being held?"
Sunny hesitated, brows furrowing. Finally, he exhaled. "The Temple of the Chalice."
Noctis immediately choked, coughing so hard he nearly dropped the apple. He seized a goblet of wine and emptied it in one go, face flushed and grim.
"...oh," he wheezed. "... I don't think i be able to help you, Sunless..."
Sighing, he gestured vaguely. "Do you have any idea how rare those coins are? Each one is forged from a shard of a corrupted soul. Incredibly difficult to produce. Hence, their immense value."
He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Oh, and now that I recall, not all were corrupted. Some were… ah… human. Fed them to the Mimic. Still, every last coin was spent when that idiot claimed the Obsidian Knife. If you really want new ones, I suppose I could kill everyone here and make a fresh batch?"
Sunny raised his hands hastily. "No! No need for that. Let's… not kill anyone. Yet."
Noctis shrugged. "As you wish. Now… regarding the Temple—there is absolutely no chance of me returning. Not now, not ever."
Sunny scowled. "Why not? What's so terrible about it?"
Noctis paled. "It's not… that it's terrible. It's just that men aren't allowed inside, unless they're sworn to serve a woman. That rule was… instituted after my last visit."
Klaus chuckled under his breath. Of course. He instantly imagined the worst. Kai had warned him of Noctis's notorious reputation.
Noctis grew pensive. "Solvane was raised there, you know. Their prized warrior. But the others? Not far behind. That temple is crawling with fanatics, and I… I made certain promises I dare not break."
Sunny grinned. "Tough luck. That's where the glass knife is."
The sorcerer fell silent.
Sunny leaned back, sighing. "So, we retrieve the knife… and rescue Effie."
Kai nodded. "We can't leave her behind."
"Then it's settled," Sunny muttered. "Noctis won't help. That means we infiltrate the temple."
The sorcerer blinked, then burst into laughter. "Sunless and Nightingale… truly a peculiar pair. Do you know no fear? The War Maidens are legendary."
Sunny smiled, his fangs glinting. Kai answered calmly, "Oh, quite the opposite. We're both cowards, Lord Noctis… but sometimes, cowards can be frightening too."
Klaus clicked his tongue. "Who's we? I'm not a coward."
He rose, raising a fist skyward, voice ringing with sudden ferocity:
"FEAR DOES NOT EXIST IN THIS DOJO!"
Sunny blinked. "There's… a dojo here?"
Klaus cast Sunny a sidelong glance, his expression somewhere between exasperation and amusement. He shook his head slowly, lips curling into a faint smirk.
"Street rat..."
Sunny's scowl deepened, but Klaus paid him no further attention. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Noctis, reclining into his seat with casual elegance, one leg crossed over the other as he lifted a hand.
"Now then... I'll assist you, Noctis. But, as with all things, I have a few... conditions."
Noctis raised an eyebrow, a faint, amused smile playing on his lips. He gestured languidly for Klaus to continue.
"By all means, my friend. Let's hear them."
Klaus offered a nonchalant shrug and leaned back, his fingers idly tracing the rim of his glass.
"I want saplings from the Heart Grove."
For the briefest moment, a shadow passed over Noctis's face—so fleeting it could have been imagined. But then he chuckled, his tone touched with irony.
"Well, aren't you an ambitious lot? Always asking for the impossible. I'm afraid I can't grant you that, Klaus. The Heart Grove… it was reduced to ash by Solvane's fire. Nothing remains."
Klaus sipped his wine, the faintest glint of challenge in his eyes.
"Is that so? I'm aware of the tale. I've seen the ruins myself. Nothing of value remained—which means, of course, that everything worth taking was already claimed... or hidden."
Noctis let out a theatrical sigh, his voice turning melancholic.
"You already know the truth, then. Solvane razed it to the ground. The Heart Grove—jewel of the Kingdom of Hope, sacred beyond measure—reduced to cinders." His voice dropped, a bitter edge creeping in. "All because of that witch... Solvane."
Klaus's brow twitched, but instead of retorting, he gave a low laugh, shaking his head in quiet disbelief. Within his mind, the Wisdom of Uriel churned ceaselessly, analyzing, dissecting, understanding.
"Perhaps that's true," he mused. "Perhaps it was all destroyed. And if anything endured, Solvane's war-hungry followers likely scavenged every scrap. But... saplings grow within sacred trees, and sacred trees are the very heart of Flying Ships. They're the vessels' soul, their source of power. And who commands the skies of this kingdom now? Who possesses the fleet of such vessels? You, Noctis. You were Aidre's closest friend. It stands to reason that something... survived. And you took it."
Noctis stared at him, unmoving. Then, he broke into a deep, thunderous laugh.
"Well played," he said between chuckles. "You came prepared, I'll give you that. Yes… I possess what you seek. Very well. I'll grant you access to it." He tilted his head, eyes narrowing curiously. "Is that all you desire?"
Klaus was silent for a heartbeat. How much more can I ask for? The thought danced behind his eyes, followed by a slow, mischievous grin.
"I don't want your coin, Noctis," he said at last. "What I seek is knowledge. The kind that cannot be bought. I want to learn how to create those coins... no—scratch that. Take me in. Teach me. Make me your student."
Across the room, Sunny's jaw nearly dropped. "Student?!" That greedy bastard! So that's why he gave them the Flying Ship so easily! He didn't need it anymore—he was planning to make his own, wasn't he? First the Ivory Tower, now the Chain Isles—he was stripping them all bare!
Noctis's amusement faded, replaced by a solemn intensity. A vast, transcendent aura unfurled from him like a tidal wave, pressing down upon the room. Klaus gritted his teeth against the weight but remained seated, defiant. Then, with a sudden laugh, Noctis stood.
"Well, well, well..." he said with mock grandeur. "From this day forth, you shall be my dear disciple. And I—your master."
Klaus sprang to his feet and offered a sharp salute, voice ringing with unearned reverence.
"Yes, Master Shifu!"
Noctis's expression faltered. He blinked at him, puzzled.
"...What? I said call me 'master,' not—'Shifu'? What in the stars is a Shifu?"
Klaus waved off his confusion and patted him on the shoulder with a grin that could sell ice to a frost giant.
"Don't worry about it. I be better dragon warrior than panda!"