#iedolas aldercapt

Seeing people scrambling from the city like ants boiling out of a disturbed anthill made Mollis' heart hammer quickly in her chest as she did what she could to motion people to stay in as an orderly fashion as she could with the other Crownsguard. Busses and other charter vehicles had been prepared earlier that morning before the time of the peace treaty was to begin, and for good reason that Mollis was thankful for at this point. All of the busses had different destinations for different people's needs — whether that was family, or just preference pending on the person or group who it concerned. Compared to the last couple of days of Mollis helping people get situated on the busses for transport, today was far, far more chaotic than she was hoping it would have ever been. Even if she had realized already what King Regis knew and prepared for before it even happened, there was this deep hope within her that none of it would come to pass.

The destruction the bombs made and the way they shook the ground even from where she stood that caused panic to reach a fever pitch for that day.

… It was just horrifying that the king had been right, and it was more horrifying that Mollis' flicker of hope for the city had died out in the midst of doing her duty. Still, Mollis did as she typically did: did her best to keep a smile on her face and assuage the people where she could. Mollify. That was her namesake in a way.

"A-Are our homes gonna be…d-destroyed? Mama, are we gonna be destroyed, t-too?" hiccuped a child who had tears and snot streaming down his face. He could have been no older than maybe four or five. Mollis could not help but to overhear him, and it made her heart ache deeply. One of the things Mollis took note of was that the mother seemed to have no idea how to respond. Maybe because of the fear that surely took hold of everyone. Maybe because she genuinely had no answer.

Mollis decided to walk over to the mother and her kid while another Crownsguard nearby was busy helping in Mollis' section for getting people guided. They could handle it for a little bit. If there was something Mollis could do for this terrified child, she may as well have done it.

"Hi there! Hi!" Mollis quickly greeted, flashing a smile to both the mother and her son. Lowering herself into a squatted position, Mollis got more eye level with the boy and waved toward him to get his attention. She was met by this tear-stained pout before he sniffled.

"I'm Mollie…" Mollis introduced, lifting both her hands and wiggling her fingers. "I know things are kind of scary right now, so I'm going to see if I can give you just a little bit of bravery, is that okay?"

With a cautious look up at his mother, the boy seemed to silently seek her permission. The mother looked from her boy to Mollis and then gave him a nod, which in turn made him nod in response to Mollis. If anything, Mollis was just glad she was not being shooed away for being ridiculous. So she took a breath and reached toward the boy, slipping a coin into her palm and then pulling it back with her fingers.

"They say that only those blessed by the king can do magic, you know…" Mollis began, rolling her wrist to make the coin disappear before catching it in her other hand and showing it off. The boy did not seem to be too impressed, but he was watching nonetheless. Maybe she was going to have to up the ante and use real magic. And so did the Illusion spell come to be focused on the forefront of Mollis' mind in tandem with using some very real things she had on hand and in her armiger space.

Shoving the coin back into her hand using her finger to make it look like it was bending inward, Mollis then rubbed her hands together and shook them. Tilting her head, she pretended to listen, shaking again before looking somewhat confused to play into her act. Opening her hands, she hummed with some exaggerated concern when it looked like there was nothing there.

"Huh…well that's strange…" Mollis commented. Her attention went to the boy, and she looked like she realized something. "Oh! There it is!"

Reaching forward, Mollis pretended to grab something from the boy's chest where his heart was. The Illusion spell made these threads of orange wrap around her hand as she pretended to pull something from him. Then suddenly, Mollis pulled a handmade dog plush from out of him before holding it up.

"Aw, look at that! Looks like you had a little friend here watching over you! Now he's come out to make sure you're protected!" Mollis cooed. The plush that Mollis held was something that her mother made a long time ago. It always sat on Mollis' bed when she grew up, and some wear was evident…but hopefully that would not matter. Now it was out of her armiger space as part of her act and being offered.

The boy tentatively reached out for the plush, holding it and sniffling once more.

"Mollis!" came another voice, and she looked up to see Cor walking over. "We need to get more of the people outside the checkpoint."

Cor paused when he saw the family. "What are you doing?"

"I was just helping give this boy a little bit of bravery," Mollis replied, looking back at the boy and urging him to take the dog plush from her with a smile. "He'll always watch over you, you know. He'll help you be brave because now that he's here with you instead of just somewhere around you, he can protect you better. Okay?"

The boy's crying had quieted down, and he hugged the dog plush to himself tightly. Standing back up to her full height, Mollis was ready to get back to helping out.

"What do you say, Aaron?" the mother gently urged him, making Mollis pause.

"… Th-thank you, miss…" the boy said, peering up at Mollis. His face was still red and splotchy, and Mollis could only meet his gaze with this halfhearted smile.

"Thank me by being brave with your friend for your mother," Mollis replied. She was met by the boy nodding silently in response.

Now that the boy's emotions had been quelled, Mollis jogged over to meet with Cor, her expression growing more serious. She spoke in a tone where she was loud enough to have been heard mostly by Cor, "What's your suggestion in getting people past this point of the bridge, Marshal? If Niflheim keeps pressing the attack, we won't have enough transport for everyone that could possibly get out here."

"I know," was Cor's simple, curt response. "That's what worries me."

A vicious hum filled the air and was enough to make the hair on the back of Mollis' neck stand on end before radiating outward to cover her body in goosebumps. Immediately casting her gaze toward the skies, Mollis saw the Niflheim ships that flew overhead, and her attention immediately went back toward the direction of the city. As soon as she set her eyes upon the breaking Wall, a hollow feeling punched through her chest immediately.

"No…" Mollis uttered, her gaze fixed on the shattering visage of the Wall. "Cor, orders."

Cor was just as stupefied as Mollis had been in that moment. A curse hissed from between his teeth, and he then turned to face what was going on with the other Crownsguard and transport options, his eyes flicking back and forth among everything. Mollis could recognize this as him thinking how best to approach all of this. Truth be told: she did not envy his position. She could hardly think straight on what to do with the Niflheim fleet overhead causing more disquiet among the people.

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"Shit—" Tandem cursed, one of his swords falling away from his hand in a glow of light before he reached forward to grab Lunafreya to prevent her from being collateral. Just as he grabbed her, the whole ship rocked violently, making Tandem drop his other sword. All of them fell forward and against the wall while an explosion tore through the steel plating just beyond the catwalk they had come from. It was enough to throw the other Glaive off the side of the railing just like the one he had discarded so callously, clearing the way for the three.

Nyx reacted quickly enough, turning so that he could brace Lunafreya against himself as gravity did its work, getting her turned and urged forward away from the flames. There was an opening on the other side of the catwalk — easy enough to get to the more the ship tilted its direction. Tandem watched Lunafreya hurry along, sliding through the airflow gap window while trying not to have any accidents on the way down.

One after the other, all three of them made their way through. The more the ship tilted, the less assured they became. Then the lip of the metal plating came all too quickly. Lunafreya let out this surprised yelp while Nyx made a grab for her while curling his opposite fingers along the quickly passing structure some purchase. Tandem had done the same, and the three of them dangled dangerously above the engines.

Tandem had to remind himself to just not look down as he reached down for Lunafreya's other hand. Together with Nyx, they helped her get back up onto the slanted platform before they both hoisted themselves up after her. So long as the princess was safe, that was really all that mattered out of this for now.

In the doorway that now loomed above them, another donning a Glaive uniform had appeared out of the darkness beyond it. Whether that was a friendly Glaive or one that was part of the mutiny was yet to have been deter—

The Glaive leapt for Nyx, crashing into him and knocking him from the platform. Lunafreya staggered back into Tandem, and he only supported her, a free hand coming to grab onto the railing nearby while they both watched Nyx and the other Glaive fall. A sharp curse left Tandem just then as this feeling of being torn in two directions riddled him. Part of him wanted to see about saving Nyx as one of the good Glaives on the force, the other knew that leaving Lunafreya alone was not something that could have been afforded.

Gurgling rumbled louder than the chaos, and giant tentacles burst through the broken down metal plating of the ship of where they were. They seemed to grope around as a giant eye peered into the engine room. Once it locked onto its targets, one tentacle sped toward the Glaive that was fighting Nyx in the air while the other snaked through and curled around Lunafreya. Both bodies were taken so quickly that not a one of them could react in time.

Taking his other sword that was still on his person, Tandem threw that down toward where the beast was, his body following his weapon in a violent flash of light before landing against the steel casing to one of the dying engines. It was steaming hot still.

Nyx seemed to have the same idea as his form appeared next to Tandem's. Both of them had their eyes set on the tentacled beast that was trying to keep Lunafreya away from them. the biggest problem was now there were three things to have to contend with. One such problem made itself apparent in the falling debris of the ship raining down on both Nyx and Tandem to shake their foundation. Nyx was knocked off and forced to grab onto the ledge, whereas Tandem had thrown his remaining sword upward to hang from a purchase.

Screams grew in volume as other Glaive that were on the ship fell from above. Two of them fell from what Nyx and Tandem could have seen. Both were batted away like flies the moment they got too close to the octopus-looking creature that gurgled and belched down below. A Niflheim-contained creature meant to have been used against Lucis, no doubt.

Then, Tandem watched as Nyx let go and fall down toward the giant cephalopod.

"Wait, what the hell are you doing!?" Tandem yelled from his position. Then a curse fell from his lips as he remained at his spot, watching Nyx work. Surely there was a plan there that the 'hero' had up his sleeve.

Nyx disappeared in a bright flash, and then he was attached to one of the creature's tentacles by his blade — specifically the tentacle that had been curled around Lunafreya. Another curse left Tandem, and his sword dissipated into a magical flash before he fell as well toward the cephalopod. This was stupid. This was incredibly stupid!

Tandem's sword was summoned back into his hand, and he flung it for another tentacle to keep the heat off of Nyx. Adrenaline pumped through Tandem the moment he latched onto the creature and was whipped around. It screeched deafeningly loud, causing Tandem to squeeze his eyes shut while trying to focus on holding onto the hilt of his blade so he did not slip. With the flailing of the limb he was on came the slide of his blade cutting through the creature's flesh, and then eventually, Tandem was thrown from the tentacle altogether.

The reason why became clear enough: more debris fell from on high, having been dislodged by what looked to have been another explosion. As Tandem tumbled through the air, he saw Nyx now dangling on the broken catwalk by one hand, and holding onto Lunafreya with the other. He had rescued her! Though, 'rescue' was a generous term given the predicament they were all in.

Another toss of his sword, and again Tandem warped somewhere to hang onto for the time being. Everything was moving so quickly and yet felt like it was taking forever. Scanning the area, Tandem locked onto Nyx as he pulled Lunafreya up onto the broken down catwalk, ensuring that she managed to get stood on the railing in some fashion. It all looked so precarious from where Tandem was, but the giant octopus that now loomed above them was their biggest threat aside from falling.

Movement caught Tandem's eye again, and he clenched his jaw when he noticed how the creature was using its tentacles to crawl toward Nyx and Lunafreya. A glass-like shield was erected in front of Nyx, haphazard and far less refined than Tandem was used to seeing. Regardless, it did its job well enough when the creature started to slam its appendages upon the surface of it. The moment that shield began to crack apart, however, was when Tandem finally warped down to strike at the creature in one of its eyes before Nyx's Protect spell broke completely.

"Chorus!" Nyx shouted once he realized what was going on. Tandem was far too busy with the giant cephalopod as it screeched and writhed violently. Its tentacles slammed this way and that, causing more mayhem upon the already broken ship. The last of Nyx's Protect shield was beaten down in the whirlwind of tentacles, leaving both he and Lunafreya open.

A nearing hum of a different airship nearing filled the air, and the loading bay opened with a different Glaive standing there. They waved over toward Nyx, and Tandem immediately used what strength he had to dislodge his sword from the creature to start warping over in a sloppy fashion. Tandem's body flashed this and that way until he finally rolled across the metal flooring of the stable ship. There was no time for reprieve, though, and he scrambled back toward the ledge to catch sight of where Nyx and Lunafreya were. They had been hurtling across the sky over Insomnia, that much had been seen, and that was another thing that made Tandem's heart race all the faster in his chest.

In a desperate bid for safety from the sun, however, the creature that had been attacking them made to grab the smaller airship and pull it in while it sizzled and popped, its form being burned by the sun's light. Bracing himself, Tandem reached out to pull back the other Glaive while keeping an eye on both Nyx and Lunafreya. When a tentacle swiped through the air and grabbed the other Glaive, Tandem staggered back, needing to find his footing again while a series of colorful curses and cusses left his mouth.

There was nothing to have been done, and so Tandem immediately started looking around for the princess. With luck, he managed to see Lunafreya scrambling to pull herself up onto part of the ship a small ways away, meanwhile Nyx had thrown his kukri up close to where Tandem was and warped up after it. Lunafreya was surprisingly quick on her feet when Tandem saw her hurry past.

"Get to the cockpit, we're gonna get this thing movin'," Nyx commanded as he marched past Tandem.

"Would love to see that," Tandem replied in both sarcastic and genuine fashion, righting himself up and following quickly after Nyx.

Lunafreya had already seated herself at the terminal by the time they arrived, and Nyx ran up to her, pulling her from the seat to sit himself in it instead; "They teach piloting in the royal academy? Give me that."

Looking over his shoulder, Nyx shouted to everyone: "Hang onto somethin'!"

A sharp thud across the windows and hull of the airship made Tandem snap his attention toward the window. Tentacles were wriggling and trying to stay suctioned on. He could hear how Nyx struggled, pulling on the flight stick to try and keep the airship air born. Then the ship was angled downward the moment Nyx had a plan. Adrenaline continued to run itself through Tandem — more when it looked like the spire of a skyscraper was about to skewer straight through the windshields.

Already feeling a slurry of curses wanting to shout their way out yet again, Tandem turned toward Nyx before this agonizing, otherworldly scream tore through the air, and there was some mild control returned to the ship. Nyx had maneuvered the ship so that the beast that had been trying to impede them had been impaled. Though the horror of it was that Tandem heard the rest of the destruction not long after; it was hard to miss how the sound of the crumbling building banged through enough to have been heard in the ship amidst the chaos.

Debris was the next issue — from both the building and the Imperial dreadnought that had been cleft in twain by another. The airship Nyx flew rattled, and then part of it also shared that in common with that same dreadnought: part of it had been cut aside, revealing part of the passenger side and cockpit. That was when Tandem actually let slip a curse.

"You must take me back to King Regis," Lunafreya told Nyx now that their biggest threat was no longer an issue.

"Kinda gotta focus on us living first to do that, don't we?" Tandem barked, fully believing there were more pressing matters at hand.

"You outta your mind?" Nyx tersely shot back at the same time, keeping his attention on flying the ship. "Insomnia's a war zone."

"I have a duty — I cannot neglect it," Lunafreya replied, attempting to sound resolute in her statement.

"Yeah, I heard all that before." Nyx's tone was dismissive.

"Then you know we must hurry!"

"Hurry to do what? Get yourself killed?"

"I do not fear death—"

"Oh, enough with all this 'brave princess' act!" Nyx finally snapped, cutting off Lunafreya. A furrow had creased tightly in his brow, and he had this icy glare pointed in her direction. With a scoff meant to calm him down in some capacity, he turned his attention back toward where he was piloting their ever descending airship. "Just pray this thing will make the trip."

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With an arm outstretched and poised for a volley of magical prowess, Regis stared down Iedolas with Clarus close at his side. The air was thick with a thrumming magical presence with all of the Lucian Royal Council also drawing upon their magical ability. Even with as used to the magic as Regis was, it still weighed heavily — like a single spark could make it erupt in this otherworldly fury.

"The Crystal will not serve you," Regis declared, his eyes locked with Iedolas'.

"Nor you," Iedolas began in response, the barrel of his gun pointed toward Regis. "Once I take it from this accursed city."

A crash from above tore Regis' attention from Iedolas, and six magitek infantry units fell in, a cascade of glass raining down around them. What would have killed a normal person did nothing of the sort to the heaps of machinery that rose to their feet in this uncanny fashion. Upon their reorientation, the magiteks' arms had cracked upward, revealing guns that were immediately fired upon the Lucian Royal Council.

It seemed like the Niflheim contingent were content to let the magitek units to press the attack on the Lucians within. Two members of the Lucian Council were mowed down by the infantry, and Regis' expression quickly steeled while he pooled his focus — thankfully, Clarus was on the same page. The two of them grouped together, and then combined their magical capability, casting domes of concentrated magic around the rest of the council that had been nearby to them; Protect spells.

This served as enough of a barrier to prevent them from acting out, much to Regis' chagrin, because Iedolas returned his gun to its holster upon his person before walking from the ceremonial hall. Regis kept this cold glare upon the emperor as he left, flanked by the rest of the Niflheim bodies that had arrived with him while heat was being levied against the Protect spells. There was a moment where Regis caught sight of Ravus as well, who seemed intent on lingering for but a moment. It was then that their eyes met, and Regis could see this contempt in Ravus' eyes before he finally turned and hurried out of the ceremonial hall to follow along after the rest of the Niflheim bodies.

"The spells won't last forever, Majesty," said Pax. Regis cast a glance in his direction. It was clear to tell from his and the rest of his council's expressions that there was worry.

"Then ready the rest of your magic," Regis commanded. Once he felt the air become charged with that rising magical weight, the Protect spells were cast away, opening up King Regis and the rest of the Lucian Royal council from their confines. Along with those who had readied themselves, Regis thrust his hand forward with an offensive spell of his own. Lightning was thrown forth, crashing into the magitek infantry units that still stood.

"Come," Clarus had said as the last remnants of the Protect spells were cast away by his own hand. "We must escape while we can."

"No, Clarus," Regis said, remaining rooted to his spot. Soon, his gaze was turned upward, and Clarus followed it. "I fear escape is no longer an option."

Through the broken window of the ceremonial hall emerged a form that was familiar to Regis and Clarus both: General Glauca holding his sword. His form flew through unimpeded before he came in for a landing, levitating for a moment before his feet touched upon the floor. Glauca stood with his back turned toward Regis and the remaining council for a time. When Glauca finally turned with sword in hand, he stared down at the council who hurried forward to put themselves between him and Regis.

"… It's been a long time since I've fought at your side, old friend…" Clarus declared, summoning his great sword into his possession.

"It has…" Regis concurred, his eyes never leaving General Glauca. "But this time, it is not your fight. If you wish to leave, go now."

"And abandon my king?" Clarus rhetorically asked, his own gaze never leaving Glauca, either. "I think not. Besides…our magic is bound to you. If you fall, Lucis falls."

"Then let us once more into the fray… Old friend."

It was like Glauca was either waiting for them to finish, or he was taking the time to size up everyone that was there in front of him. However, Regis knew that even if they had numbers, General Glauca was not to have been underestimated — especially given that the man seemed to have power beyond what any normal person could wield. Then, in a flash, Glauca charged at them, sweeping his sword out and easily cutting down or knocking aside some members of the council like they were nothing.

Clarus leapt forward, and steel met steel. Both Clarus and Glauca clashed several times while Regis lifted his hand once more. Blinding light enveloped his palm white the moment Glauca and Clarus' swords were locked together, culminating into a large bolt of lighting that streaked forward, hitting Glauca's armor dead on. In the midst of staggering back with the force, Clarus took the opportunity to rush forward, only to have been halted by Glauca dipping back and grabbing him. Utilizing the motion, Glauca threw Clarus aside easily and then set his sights upon Regis.

Gunfire rang out through the ceremonial hall, and Glauca staggered again, his attention going toward his new attacker. Ater, the Eyes of the King, had his dual firearms trained upon Glauca's hulking visage, more bullets slung at him while Ater kept a distance. Before Glauca could think to attack, it was the Arm of the King's turn, and Gratia called upon her blade to thrust it for their enemy before them, her teeth bared in an angry grimace. Gratia's steel screeched against Glauca's armor, and produced a pained groan from him before he turned with lightning fast speed. His fist came into contact with her face with a sickening crunch, and Gratia was sent rolling back across the floor before settling in a heap.

Lighting crackled once more between Regis' fingers. He was not fast enough on the draw when Glauca rushed for Ater in the middle of reloading his firearms. Electricity arced through the air only after Glauca's blade had been plunged through Ater's abdomen. Terrifyingly enough, Glauca was quick enough to turn and make Ater his shield, causing Regis' Thunder spell to electrify Ater. The last thing that Regis heard from him was a pained gurgle before Glauca carelessly threw him aside as well.

Though there were still members of the Royal Council who still stood, ready to defend where needed, they were not fast enough once Glauca's armor hummed to life. The glow of the red core flared more brightly as Glauca's form sped through the hall toward Regis. Now that fewer members stood between him and Regis, he took that opportunity to press an attack.

There was a familiarity in how the Royal Arms were called upon to create a shield made up of a web of blades crossing upon one another to stop Glauca's attack from reaching Regis. It was short lived; the moment Clarus manged to get back up on his feet, he rushed and made another go for Glauca while his blade crystallized into his hold. Like Gratia before him, Clarus' steel carved a deep gouge within the back of Glauca's armor with a screech.

An inhuman growl rumbled from under Glauca's helmet, and he turned to grab Clarus once more by the neck. Holding Clarus up, Glauca's armor hummed and thrummed to life again, giving him that monstrous strength to throw Clarus up high. The sudden dislodging of blades as Glauca jerked from Regis made the Royal Arms scatter, allowing for Glauca to grab one and throw it after Clarus.

Just like that, the blade sunk through Clarus' torso, pinning him to the wall above. Clarus groaned out in agony, calling Regis' attention to him—"Clarus!"

That even the Shield of the King could be bested so effortlessly…

Clarus dangled there, unable to dislodge himself. Quick time passed, and blood was already soaking through his robes in a blossom of crimson. Regis could only feel that horrified agony seeing Clarus there — it was a pain much like when he came back with Aulea's bloodied body from Cape Caem…much like when he and Clarus saw Aurae flung across the Fenestala courtyard and carelessly delivered at their feet during their escape.

"Make for the exit, Majesty!" cried out a voice that only rang through Regis' head in a muffled echo.

There was something incredibly awe-inspiring and infuriating about how Glauca had all of this power at his fingertips thanks to the might of Niflheim's technological advancements. That was the only explanation for it. That was the only explanation why Glauca had already bested three of his best offensive fighters within the present council in a matter of seconds. It all just served as further proof that there was simply no winning this war. Not as they were.

"Majesty!" It was the same voice from before, and Regis only stood there as Pax, the Ears of the King, darted out in front of him only to be cut down by Glauca in one swift swipe.

Blood splattered across Regis, making him flinch as soon as the spray hit his face. That was the jolt that brought him back to reality. Pax fell to the ground, slumping upon his knees before he fell aside with the aid of Glauca's boot, limp and lifeless. One by one, each of his Royal Council were falling to Glauca's terrifying speed and strength both.

A cry of rage echoed in the hall — Regis recognized it as one of those telltale battle cries that often preceded one of Gratia's attacks. Her bloody face twisted in an angry grimace was just a flash in Regis' vision before Glauca turned toward her. With reflexes to match a coeurl's death whisker strike, Glauca's heavy blade flew through the air, cutting through Gratia's neck and severing her head from the rest of her body. The carnage would only grow without a proper plan of action to cripple Glauca in any meaningful manner.

That made four of Regis' Royal Council slain by Glauca. Again, Regis lifted his hand, his palm glowing brightly before another crash of lightning attacked Glauca and blasted him back. At the same time, a handful of fireballs were flung in Glauca's direction from Word of the King, Vere, and the upper marble banisters of the hall above Glauca were commanded downward with a Stone spell from the Heart of the King, Arbor.

Another growl of annoyance resonated from underneath Glauca's helmet, metallic and grating. When he rose from his position, he lifted a leg, his armor humming once again. Then he slammed it down onto the floor where tiles and foundation cracked toward Arbor. Just like how marble rained down upon Glauca, marble rained down upon Arbor, burying him underneath a cascade of rubble. Once Arbor was incapacitated, Glauca sped toward Vere, swatting him away as if he were nothing more than annoying bug and sending him careening through the large lectern.

A pulsing light caught Regis' attention — it was an elemancy flask pulsing with electrifying energies glowing in a blinding yellow. Once it made contact with Glauca, lightning magic bust forth, arcing and creating a hazard for nearly the entire room. Regis felt his arm tugged in the direction of the exit, and the man beside him was the last of the Royal Council left standing: the Hand of the King, Silex Scientia. Of course everyone else would be concerned with removing him, the king, from any further danger.

They were close — so close — to the exit of the ceremonial hall that was unobstructed by the destruction that had been wrought upon the place. So close, and yet Glauca was not to have been rendered immobile for long. Silex was brought to the ground when Glauca charged for him, his hand gripping the back of Silex's head. With several assured slams against the floor, Silex's face was rendered a broken and bloodied mess, crushed in with each hit. Once Glauca was convinced Silex would not be getting back up, Glauca rose while keeping his attention firmly set upon Regis.

With no other members of the Royal Council to throw themselves in between the conflict, it was now just them.

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Magitek soldiers rained from the skies now that the Wall crumbled down — only remnants of it remained, and those remains were fading fast. When it came to Vis and her attempt in getting out of the city like she was told to, she was brought to a complete standstill and forced to take cover. Workers that often took care of the Logos Public Library and Archive were with her. Many of them were scared, and understandably so. Unlike Vis, all of them were merely under the employ of House Logos, and were not blessed with the Crystal's magic by the king.

"Niflheim aims to kill us all!"

"What do we do?"

"We need to get out of the city, of course!"

"But the Imperial soldiers are being sent out into the streets now that the airships are here!"

"So we just lay down and die for them!?"

The mutterings, whispers, and urgent worries being voiced made Vis clench her eyes shut to try and think of something. Anything. Were her brother here with them, he would have been able to think quickly and have a plan of action after just assessing the situation for mere moments! If only Vis herself could draw upon the very same abilities he had.

… If only Verus were here instead of being back at the Citadel. That in and of itself was another worry that clung like tar within Vis' mind.

Still, Vis thought of what she could personally do — the things she had trained for when it came to simulations and being prepared for moments like this. She had just hoped that it never would have come to it. Battles and combat were all fine and good, but the city under siege as well as the magitek units simply dropping from the airships above? By Bahamut's blades, Vis wished she could have been anywhere but there in the moment.

Invisibility spell?

No, what if the magitek units had heat sensors? They could have easily seen through that and just shot in their direction. That was unsafe.

Shell was not going to work against the bullets Vis knew they had — she could hear the guns going off, popping in all different directions around them. So the next best thing would have been a Protect spell. As long as it was not riddled with constant fire, Vis was sure she could create a dome large enough to have brought those who were under her family's employ somewhere where they could all evacuate the city in earnest.

Okay…then that was the plan.

"I need all of you to stay close to me," Vis spoke up, her voice just loud enough to where she could actually make it out amidst all the noise. However, just because she could hear herself speak, it seemed like no one else was paying attention to her.

"We could just stay here until the magitek units pass," said one voice.

The suggestion was not terribly unreasonable, but getting out of the city was a far safer option in the end. Especially when it seemed like buildings were crumbling thanks to whatever was happening with the airships. Staying in the city meant always having to look out from debris from above, or magitek down below. There was no winning in that scenario.

"Are you mad!?" this time it was a raised voice that trembled with disbelief, anger, and fear all at once.

"I need you to stay close to me," Vis attempted to say again, her voice growing just a smidgen louder.

"Niflheim will crush us with the city itself if we stay here!"

"And they will gun us down if we go anywhere else!"

"I need you to stay close to me!" Vis yelled, balling her fists at her sides. Her heart had already been pounding in her chest, and having to call attention to herself in this fashion only made it hammer more wildly for a different reason. Vis hated having all eyes on her — in just about any capacity. Even with the city under siege as it was.

So Vis swallowed. Already her stomach twisted and turned. Before it was just the overwhelming adrenaline of running for cover lest any of the magitek strike them down. Now it was the added nausea of having everyone look to her for what she had up her sleeve.

"I…I can keep us shielded, but you need to stay close," Vis began, doing her utmost best to keep her voice steady. Stepping forward, Vis lifted her hand. Around her and the group of six, hexagonal plates of crystallized magic formed around them in a protective orb. "If anyone — anyone — steps away from me, I can't protect you."

What Vis knew was that her noble line was one of the best at magic. Verus proved that a number of times, and honestly, Vis had proven it herself when training against the future Arms and Shield. She could do this. She could do this. So with the protective spell around them, Vis began to guide her charges from their cover, coaxing and doing her best to reassure them all the while…even if she did not fully believe the words she uttered. If Verus could command calm over people, then surely she could to.

She could… She had to…

Especially now.

Bullets cracked against Vis' shield as she walked along with the others, each hit being absorbed by shield and halting each and every bullet. The shield hummed and crunched like glass, but it held strong. It lasted until Vis managed to get everyone to the next area of cover before she had to drop it in order to catch her breath. Sweat coated her forehead and neck. Vis had no idea how many times she could do that without buckling, but she had to try.

"On… O-On my word…" Vis said, standing back up. Everyone got close to her again, and then another protective bubble appeared before they began moving. This time, however, once Vis had gotten to another place of safety from magitek and falling debris, her eyes went skyward when she caught sight of an airship that was flying away from the destruction and chaos. Underneath it was something that she had to squint to make out. When it finally registered in Vis' mind what it was, she felt her stomach sink.

"No…" Vis looked on in horror as the airship made off with what looked to have been a black container.

The Crystal.

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"Well, I dare say everything has proceeded according to plan, no?" Ardyn said, gesturing with an upward tilt of his hand toward the Citadel where it had been broken. At his side was a placid Iedolas looking on with nary a change in his expression. Since having left the building, they boarded an Imperial airship that had been prepared for them and were now sailing the skies over the chaos that was beginning to have its ripple effect over Insomnia.

"So it has," Iedolas replied curtly. It was then that Iedolas' eyes flicked to and fro, scanning the city the higher the airship ascended. "We have broken the Wall. All that remains is to break the city."

"Shall we take our leave, then?" Ardyn asked with a roll of his wrist. A slow smile spread over his lips before he canted his head back in Iedolas' direction. "The sun will soon set… We need not be here to witness the terrors of the night."