from zero: the dark descent

The day after we read the royal summons, I found myself in a situation I had absolutely no control over—being dragged through the streets of Myra by two equally stubborn women, both of whom seemed to have entirely different ideas about what I should wear to the palace. "Elaris, you can't seriously be thinking about putting him in something boring and traditional," Alaria scoffed, rolling her emerald-green eyes as she pulled me toward a different section of the boutique. "The King isn't going to care if he's dressed like a proper noble. We should be making a statement." Elaris sighed, her usual motherly warmth thinning as her patience wore down. "The statement should be that we belong in the palace, not that we stumbled in from a masquerade party."

"Oh, come on, 'Laris," Alaria grinned, knowing how much the nickname irritated her. "The King already knows we don't belong. Might as well have Noctis look like the ethereal void-wielding hero that he is." Elaris's lavender eyes narrowed. "That is exactly the wrong kind of attention to draw in a royal court."

I sighed, standing between them with my arms crossed as they bickered back and forth, my presence all but forgotten. "Does anyone care what I think?" I muttered. They both turned sharply toward me at the same time.

"No," Alaria said flatly.

"Not really," Elaris added.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Of course."

The boutique itself was lavish, clearly designed for nobles or high-ranking adventurers with far more coin than I was comfortable spending. Every fabric shimmered in the candlelight, from finely embroidered tunics to intricate doublets lined with silver thread. I had never given a single thought to fashion before today, and honestly, I still didn't. The only reason I was even tolerating this was because they were tolerating me. Despite their constant bickering, they had been by my side since I was a kid. And even though Alaria acted like she didn't care about appearances, I knew she was enjoying this in her own way. And Elaris? She was just trying to make sure I didn't walk into the palace looking like I had just come off the battlefield.

So I let them argue.

For a while.

Until I realized this was never going to end unless I stepped in. "Alright," I cut in, raising my hands in surrender. "You both get to pick something for me to try. I'll wear whichever one doesn't make me look like an idiot." Alaria smirked. "Oh, you're definitely wearing mine, then." Elaris shot her a warning look but exhaled in defeat. "Fine. But it needs to be functional." I groaned. "If I hear the word functional one more time, I swear—"

Elaris shoved a set of clothing into my arms. "Go change." I blinked down at the outfit in my hands, then sighed and trudged off toward the dressing room.

Round One: The Noble Look

Elaris had gone with something subtle but elegant—a deep blue tunic with silver embroidery along the collar, paired with a long, fitted black coat with silver threading along the cuffs. It was the kind of thing a noble warrior might wear, dignified without being overly flashy. When I stepped out, Elaris beamed. "Now this is how you should present yourself." Alaria snorted. "He looks like he's about to give a speech at some boring noble gathering."

"Which is exactly what this is," Elaris shot back. "A diplomatic meeting with the King, not some show. He needs to look the part." Alaria rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Noctis, get back in there and try mine." I sighed, stepping back into the changing room.

Round Two: The Alaria Special

The moment I put it on, I knew I was doomed. Alaria had picked something entirely different—black, with deep crimson accents, the material sleek and close-fitting. The coat was shorter, flaring slightly at the bottom with intricate designs of thorned roses stitched into the fabric. The shirt underneath was looser, more relaxed, and the pants fit a little too well for my liking. This wasn't an outfit meant for royalty. This was an outfit meant for a rogue prince who had just walked out of the underworld. When I stepped out, Alaria let out a slow whistle.

"Oh, damn," she grinned, crossing her arms. "Now this is a look." Elaris, on the other hand, looked horrified. "He looks like a walking scandal."

I sighed. "I feel like one."

Alaria smirked, stepping closer and running a teasing finger along the edge of the coat. "I dunno, Noct. You kinda pull it off." I resisted the urge to groan. "Yeah, I'm sure the King will be so impressed when I show up looking like a wanted criminal." Elaris huffed. "Exactly. He needs to look respectable, not like he just crawled out of a dark alley."

Alaria pouted. "Dark alleys are charming."

"They're suspicious."

I rubbed my temples. "Please don't make me wear this." Alaria sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. Killjoy." In the end, I went with Elaris's choice—partly because it actually made me look like someone worthy of being in the royal palace, but mostly because I valued my sanity. Alaria grumbled but didn't push it. Instead, she spent the rest of the time messing around, trying on random accessories and pestering me about why I was so opposed to looking like a dangerous rogue.

By the time we left the shop, the sun had already begun to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow over Myra's stone streets. The palace stood in the distance, its towering spires glinting against the evening sky—a silent reminder of what awaited us. Elaris looped her arm through mine as we walked. "That wasn't so bad, was it?" I gave her a tired look. "I lost years of my life in there." Alaria snickered. "Oh, please. You just don't know how to have fun."

I let out a dramatic sigh. "Why do I feel like I'm the accessory here?" Elaris giggled, leaning her head against my shoulder. "Because you are." Alaria winked. "And you wear us so well."

I groaned.

But despite my exhaustion, despite the chaos of the day, I couldn't help but feel a strange warmth settle in my chest. We had been through hell together. And in a few days, we were about to step into an entirely different kind of battlefield—the politics of the royal court.

But at least I wouldn't be alone.

No matter what happened next, they would be right there with me.

Even if they drove me insane in the

The sun had long since set by the time we returned to the inn. The streets of Myra were quieter now, the bustling energy of the city fading into a peaceful hum of distant laughter and the flickering glow of lanterns. The cool night air carried the scent of sea salt and baked bread from nearby taverns, a strange but comforting mixture that made it feel like everything was normal.

Except nothing had been normal for a long time.

I felt the weight of the day settle over me as we walked inside. The common room was still alive with drunken adventurers and low conversations, but I barely paid attention. Alaria was already making a beeline for the bar, eager to entertain herself with a few drinks and likely start a fight with someone. I didn't bother stopping her. She could handle herself. Elaris, however, looped her arm through mine, tugging me toward the stairs. "You're exhausted," she murmured, her lavender eyes filled with quiet concern. "Come to bed." I hesitated, glancing at the bar, but Alaria was already flirting with some poor fool and didn't seem to care that we were leaving. With a sigh, I nodded and followed Elaris upstairs. The room was dimly lit when we entered, the single lantern on the bedside table casting a warm glow over the space. It was small but comfortable—one bed, a desk in the corner, and a window that overlooked the quiet streets of Myra.

Elaris didn't let go of my arm until she pulled me onto the bed beside her. The moment we sat down, she curled into me, her warmth seeping through my shirt. I hesitated for only a second before wrapping an arm around her shoulders, letting her rest against me. "You've been quiet," I murmured, brushing a strand of golden hair from her face. She sighed, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt. "Just thinking."

"About?"

She was silent for a long moment before finally whispering, "You."

My heart stuttered. She lifted her head slightly, her eyes searching mine. "I know we joke about it," she said softly, "but… I hate it."

I frowned. "Hate what?"

She exhaled shakily. "The way they all look at you. The way they all want you." Her fingers tightened against my shirt. "It's stupid, I know, but every time another girl looks at you like that, I just…" She trailed off, shaking her head. "I get so angry." A wry smile tugged at my lips. "You? Angry?"

She shot me a look. "Shut up."

I chuckled, but the amusement faded as I reached for her hand, lacing my fingers through hers. "Elaris," I murmured, "you don't have to be jealous." She let out a bitter laugh. "Of course I do." I squeezed her hand. "No, you don't." I tilted her chin up so she was forced to meet my gaze. "I chose you. That's not going to change."

Her eyes softened, but the vulnerability in them nearly broke me. "Promise?"

I leaned in, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead. "I promise." She sighed against me, her body relaxing as she melted into my embrace. For a long time, we just sat there in comfortable silence, tangled together in the dim light.

And for the first time in weeks, I felt something close to peace.