Under the Sea: Conclusion and aftermath

[voidtreckermods]

Ritual

The jellyfish is no more and as red team take stock of their injuries, or collapse from exhaustion the lights zip around them, singing their song of joy. They gather around the light that had been inside the jellyfish and now that it has been released it is obvious this light is different. Stronger. They surround it and the song gets even louder as they begin to move towards the plinth.

In the caverns where the purple and orange team are there is a stillness. For those in orange team still in the cavern they can only hope that the instructions they gave out had been followed. Luckily for them they have been, Purple team have done a remarkable job of defeating the crabs and cleaning the temple. The priests gather around the shell on the alter, arms linked together in prayer as they seek to re-sanctify their temple. As their prayer begins they will invite the voidtreckers to join them, though no one is forced into taking part in the ritual. They suggest that they use their strange wrist jewellery to open communication with their friends in Bui.

The monster on the beach is defeated and though the fight is still raging against the crabs, a beacon has been built and lit. The islanders who are not fighting gather around it, linking arms, drawing any voidtreckers who don't object to joining them into the circle.

The song begins hesitantly, almost as if everyone has forgotten the words and only half remembers the tune. The SCA translates, the prayer is simple, a blessing on the land and its people, deliverance from the darkness and hope for the future.

The light from the jellyfish reaches the plinth and is set upon it. The song heightens and the light shoots upwards, blinding in its brilliance.

Through the dark storm clouds a light streams towards the island, most of it towards the beacon on the island though there is a break away light that goes towards the train, where some of orange team have set up a second beacon. It swirls around those on the train roof, singing a song of happiness and bounces back towards the island.

The light reaches the main beacon and hits it with a strength that lights up the whole sky. The light splits more solidly into two and speeds off over the ocean. Light pours into the underground caverns, not caring about the ocean and rock in the way, the light pools into the shells, the caverns glow warmly.

Outside the storm calms, clouds roll back, the sun shines. The sea stills. The wind stops. The sun is rising, a beautiful dawn. Any monsters left scuttle away, vanishing into the ocean, away from Bui.

Those with any powers that they couldn't reach before find them returned in a rush. Those who can sense life find this world teeming with it. A song that dances between every plant and creature.

Some of red may have evacuated to the train but those who stayed to see the ritual through, the world around them seems to melt away and they find themselves back next to the rock pools. Among their number there are some confused looking islanders who intrinsically draw closer to those who helped free the lights.

Orange and Purple

Down underwater there's noise and a babble of voices as the citizens of Bui wake up. There's a shimmering around the city now, like a shield though they can pass through easily. Parents scramble to locate their children and all check on loved ones and friends.

The familiar voice of train announcements is heard through Orange team's SCAs. Orange return to the VoidTrecker Express. Once everyone is on board it flies low over the ocean, skimming the waves.

In the underwater temple the priests finish sealing the ritual and then it is time to begin the return trek. There are no monsters this time and after a few hours, as they emerge onto the first of the sandbanks they will find the VoidTrecker Express is waiting for them.

Red and Blue

The monsters gone, those of the island gather everyone from the rock pools and for a few hours everyone sleeps.

At about noon the islanders begin to stir, begin putting things to rights. Wood is moved from the strategic points to more communal campfires on the beach. Any dead monsters that haven't been gathered for food have been washed out to sea, disappeared into the depths. They begin to prepare food and won't turn away any helpers. Though those who have been fighting are encouraged to rest.

The islanders bring blankets and start to gather. Everyone is exhausted but the children, in the way of children find the energy to play in the sea and the sand.

Beach Day

Early afternoon the train lands on the beach and everyone gets a holographic message to their SCA.

Mission successful. Well done Voidtreckers. Enjoy the rest of your day. You will find suitable clothing in the dressing room. A new recipe has been added to the kitchen information points.

The dressing room is indeed open once more, this time it holds swimsuits of every style, shorts, t shirts, wraps and beach skirts. Sun hats and sunglasses can also be found. It's a bit of a mush mash but they should be able to cobble together something other than their uniform wet suits.

Time to laze around on the beach or for those who still have energy swim or play. A few hours later a ripple across the water brings some of those from Bui and they swim or lounge on rocks to talk.

Food and stories

Food is cooked and shared, the islanders will happily try the voidtreckers' offerings and share their own. As the sun begins to set they gather around the fires. Stories and songs are shared and there's even some dancing for the brave.

Voidtreckers can choose whether to sleep in their own beds or spend one last night on the island before the train flies off into the sunrise and into the void.

Comments

[bethereprompto]

He hummed a pleased note at being held. If he could, he'd stay right here in Noct's arms watching the ocean forever. Only thing that would make this even better would be Gladio.

He leaned in and pecked a quick kiss on Noct's cheek. "We've been telling you that you're weird for years!" He teased, but it was a gentler tone than he normally used. "I don't think there's anything wrong with it. It makes me think if you're even considering it on some level with me then I must be pretty damn special!"

It did explain why Noct hadn't ever initiated anything sooner with him. Prompto was still blown away the other boy hadn't figured out how into him Prompto was.

[sonoflucis]

Noct returned the kiss, smiling softly. "I know I want to, someday. Once I've gotten myself sorted out. You just more and more attractive everyday." He shifted and pressed his lips to Prompto's, kissing him softly.

[bethereprompto]

Prompto had a few comebacks to Noct's comments to the effect of he liked Noct the way he was, but he was being kissed instead. Noct kisses!

He closed his eyes as their lips touched. It was so tender and sweet. It made him think of the soft brush of a chocobo feather. They were both things he loved so much- obviously Noct won if he had to pick, of course.

He reached out and brushed his fingers along a smooth cheek and rested lightly on his shoulder. He didn't want it to end. The contact of their lips was magical and consumed all of Prompto's senses. There was only Noct in this moment. He revealed in knowing he belonged to this incredible, dark haired beauty.

A part of him wished he could take off his gloves to touch Noct like he did Gladio, but.. he wasn't brave enough yet. He knew Glads had said Noct wouldn't turn away from him because of it, but the old fear was hard to shake.

[sonoflucis]

Noct loved the soft touches and kisses. The backdrop of the ocean was certainly a nice addition. Still, there was a small hesitation he felt in his best friend. "If there's anything bothering you, you know I'll listen, like you've listened for me...right?"

[bethereprompto]

His cheeks colored but he couldn't help but laugh a little. Just as transparent as Noct was to him, the reverse was true too. It was touching that he mattered so much and was one of a zillion reasons he loved this boy.

"I do, without a doubt." As amazing as it was, he knew Noct would listen to anything he needed to say. That was just how the other boy was whether he was a king or not. "It's just.. um.." He drew back, unsure. They were in this wonderful place having such a nice time but Noct had been so brave to tell him a hidden truth. It seemed wrong to keep hiding something from him. "I don't know.." he said, with a shake of his head. "It's um.. it's something that I discovered when I got separated from everyone but it's.."

He kept chickening out. It was unreal how hard it suddenly was to meet Noct's gaze or spit out what the other man needed to hear.

[sonoflucis]

Noct gently stroke Prompto's cheek with his thumb before soothing a hand over his hair. "Something you discovered?" He asked, his voice soft and gentle. "Listen... Nothing will change how I feel about you... But you don't need to say it if you aren't ready..."

[bethereprompto]

Noct was being so sweet. He wanted to believe that promise and he almost did, it just.. how do you take such a big risk like this? It could ruin everything. He wanted to argue and say how scary and unknown opening this door could be.

"Um.. take off my glove," he said hesitantly, lifting his hand for Noct. His gaze also rose and he met the other boy's eyes finally. He bit his bottom lip and waited. He wasn't sure Noct would understand when he saw it, but it was the only way he could think of to start.

[sonoflucis]

Noct was confused, but he did so. His movements were careful, and when he set the glove to side, he looked at the bar code running his thumb along it, he felt like he was both in the know and very confused, all at once.

"I think I know what this is."

[bethereprompto]

Prompto thought he might throw up as the anxiety spiked inside him when that fabric left his wrist, exposing the darkest, ugliest part of himself. Noct hadn't even said anything and had barely looked at it before Prompto had tears stinging his eyes.

"Yeah... um, you should. It's- we all have them. All of the Magiteks. I'm.. um.. I'm one of them, Noct." He took a shaky breath before he could continue. "I sort of knew before but I didn't really really know what it all meant until um.. I sort of found out for real where I found where we're made."

[sonoflucis]

Noct gently brought Prompto's wrist up kissing the barcode. "You aren't, though." He reassured. "You aren't a mindless soldier. You may have been born with that in mind but that isn't you." Noct smiled. "Never thought I would say this, but I'm grateful to the empire, then. They made you and somehow, you ended up coming to me."

He wrapped his arms around Prompto. "You're a Crown Citizen, Prom. Always have been. Where you came from doesn't matter now."

[bethereprompto]

He'd been so afraid. He'd been scared to tell Gladio too, but to tell Noct. Given what happened to his family and their whole quest, it was Noct he'd been so terrified of learning this secret. He gaped in amazement when Noct echoes the exact same movement as Gladio had done.

All his fear, all his worry, and not even a hesitation before being accepted? More than accepted, loved. It probably makes him look silly, but the instant Noct pulls him into a hug, he bursts into tears and buries his face against the curve of his neck and shoulder. "I'm sorry Noct! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hide it. I just.. I didn't know how to tell you."

[sonoflucis]

Noct held Prompto close cradling him as he cried. "Hey, none of that, now..." He shushed the blonde. "I can't blame you for being scared. It's a scary thing..." He gently rubbed Prompto's back, letting him cry as much as he needed to.

"I'm just sorry you had to find out alone." Noct said. "I wish I could have been there. I can't even imagine how much you went through..."

There is one thing Noct knows. He'll be there for all of the tough times now, as well as the good.

"A mark on your wrist will never define who you are. You know what does? Your smile. Your willingness to help others. The fact that you work harder than anyone gives you credit for. Your heart. Those and more make up the Prompto that I love."

[bethereprompto]

Prompto drew back with his bottom lip quivering and tears streaming down his face. His hands slipped into Noct's, finally touching fully skin to skin without gloves in the way. It might not mean much to someone else, but it did to him. "You don't?" That had probably been the second scariest thing was knowing how it might hurt Noct that he'd been keeping something from him. How could he not even been mad about that?

The praise was too intense, so Prompto looked down at their hands. His cheeks flushed and more tears fell, but there was a smile growing there too. "I don't work that hard," he protested lightly, but he almost shyly brought his gaze back up to Noct. "You really think of me like that?"

[sonoflucis]

"I don't. I'm glad you told me, though." Noct said. "Now I know what you've been holding on to."

He squeezed Prompto's hand, smiling at the contact. "Of course I think that. And you totally work hard. You know that I've always known who you were, right? I knew we had met before high school. I had always kinda wished you hadn't run away that first day..."

[bethereprompto]

He had to let go of one of Noct's hands to swipe at his cheek. The sobs and tears were calming down.

"What?! You knew?" He asked, shocked. At first he misunderstood that Noct was meaning he knew about him being a clone, but then he realized what he meant. That was equally shocking, though!

Just like Noct had done when Prompto had been teasing him about Gladio, he covered his face with his hands and groaned. "Nooo! Please don't say you knew me back then! I was so fat and awkward!"

[sonoflucis]

Noct smiled brightly and gently pried Prompto's hands from his face. "You were cute. And I could tell you were genuine even then. I was super impressed with how you changed, but I wanted to know you even before."

[bethereprompto]

"Really?" He asked, skeptically. Although the moment he looked at Noct's face, he knew it was true. He leaned in and stole a kiss. His cheeks were still wet but, it was heartfelt. As he pulled back, he gave a sheepish giggle.

"You know I changed for you, right? I wanted to be worth noticing. A- And um.. for Luna. She told me to be your friend so I was determined to win you over." He paused and looked up with some alarm. "Not like a creepy way! Like, I really wanted you to like me, not like con you into it or something. I didn't want to let her down."

[sonoflucis]

Noct kissed Prompto softly. "Luna? When did you meet her?" He was a little confused. "And you never had to change... Your personality is what I like the most...but hey, you did a hell of a glow-up, and you're healthy, so I can't complain."

[bethereprompto]

"I didn't really.. not directly. I was looking forward to meeting her in Altissia with you." How had they never talked about this before? Oh right, he'd have to admit he knew of Noctis before they were friends. "But I found her dog- I didn't know it at the time- and she had a hurt paw. So I took her home and tried to adopt her. I called her 'Tiny'."

He smiled fondly at the memory. Tiny had been his very first friend. And then she ran off.

"I guess when she got well enough she ran away. I thought I'd lost her." That had been his first heart break too. "But then I got a letter from Luna thanking me for taking care of her. Since we went to the same school, she assumed we were friends. I don't know why she thought that, but she told me to be a good friend to you. I would've wanted to anyway, but I never would've had the courage if she hadn't told me to. I was really shy and awkward back then."

[sonoflucis]

Noct laughed softly at the story. That absolutely sounded like Luna. He sobered a little after a moment. "She would have adored you. She had good instincts. I'm glad she asked you to be my friend..."

[bethereprompto]

He smiled and put his head on Noct's shoulder again. He was quiet for a few moments, enjoying their bond. Sometimes, like now, it felt so strong they might as well have had a rope tethered from one heart to the other.

"Do you think she'll show up here? I've heard there are a few people here that were like.. dead, where they were from. Like that one guy who is always bossing people around and is dating Iggy."

[sonoflucis]

Noct held on to Prompto. "Maybe... I think she would find purpose here..." He blinked at what Prompto said next. "Tony is dead in his world?"

[bethereprompto]

"Yeah.." He didn't know, but assumed Noct did. He wondered if she'd be able to bring Pryna on the train.

He lifted his head and looked at Noct. "Yeah, I think so. Someone was talking about it over breakfast a few weeks ago. I didn't have the guts to ask Iggy about it."

[sonoflucis]

Noct bit his lip. "I guess this train pulls people from all sorts of places." He was getting a headache thinking about it. Instead, he flopped on Prompto, knocking him onto his back. "Don't wanna think about that right now."

[bethereprompto]

"Whoa!"

He laughed as he was suddenly shoved onto his back. "Oooh, I like this feisty side! You better be ready to kiss me again! My lips feel really neglected down here!"