16Helloes and welcome to my first attempt of a fan fiction in over 9 years! Some writer's block, huh? ;)
This story is set post-ToV storyline (so there may be some spoilers - if you haven't yet completed the game, be warned!) and possibly somewhat AU. The story will be written mostly in 1st person mode, but there may be some switching; however I'll try to keep things as constant as I can. Apologies in advance if the characters seem somewhat OOC; I'll try to keep them as much in character as I can. Many thinks to Crystallized Pen for the encouragement and inspiration to work on this some more and get it posted! :)
This will hopefully be a Multi-chapter story, assuming I don't lose all inspiration during it. The title will most likely change before the end also.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but a chocolate bar and a rather cute kitten. So if you try to sue me for stealing the souls of the ToV cast, you'll get nothing… NOTHING I TELL YOU! Muahahahaha! *cough* ahem…. Yeah, I don't own anything here, no copyright infringement intended. On with the show!
Rated "T" for language, rating may be increased or reduced, depending on the course the story takes.
Possibly there will be a EstellexYurixFlynn love triangle, but that may change. Keep tuned!
Chapter 1 - Revelations
It was a day like any other. The sun was shining, the Lower Quarter was bustling with activity. The sound of children's laughter filling the air. The barking of dogs echoing like a visceral symphony.
It was a day like any other when I, Yuri Lowell, discovered I was going to die.
It started out like any other day; getting up, doing a few chores to help out the lovely lady who owns the inn I live at, harass the Schwann Brigade a little; but I had a feeling deep down that something wasn't right.
I decided to visit Flynn at the castle, sneaking over the walls and climbing the tree in front of his window even though I was allowed to use the front door these days. Old habits die hard, eh?
I rapped on the window, smirking somewhat at my friend's startled expression as I awoke him from his paperwork reverie. As he got up to open the window, I noticed something of an annoyed look directed my way, which I blatantly ignored.
"Yuri, what are you doing here?" he asked, exasperated.
"Sorry, Commandant; didn't realise it was against the law to visit my best friend who I've barely seen anything of in weeks" I retorted dryly.
Flynn blushed slightly, immediately regretting his harshness at my arrival. "sorry, things have just been pretty busy lately; I haven't really had much personal time."
I nonchalantly waved off the apology; I'd been pretty busy with Guild business myself.
I sat on the edge of his desk, watching him busy himself organising the paperwork. "So, how's the whole changing the world thing going?" I asked, cheekily.
"Slow", Flynn sighed. "I knew things wouldn't just change overnight, but it's been almost a year and we're still trying to weed out the corrupt council members and get the Empire back to full strength. And then there's the arranged marriage to think of.." he trailed off as I choked somewhat.
"Arranged marriage? Wha? Who? When?" This was the first I'd hear of this particular subject!
Flynn turned to me, startled. "Lady Estellise didn't tell you? The Council believes it would be good for appearances and would strengthen the bonds between the Council and the Knights if She and I were to marry."
"You're not seriously agreeing to this, are you? What happened to marrying the person you fall in love with? Following your heart?" I was outraged.
Flynn stood up, his back to me. "If this is what it takes to get the empire back on track, Yuri, then I have no choice."
My hands balled into fists, the knuckles turning white, my nails digging into my palms. "So you're just going to throw away your own happiness, you own right to choose, because the Council says so? Seriously Flynn, get your fucking head out of the Council's ass and think for yourself for once!"
Flynn turned to me, his azure eyes blazing with anger. "You think I want to do this? I'd want for anything to choose who I marry! But if this is the only way to reunite the Empire, what other choice do I have?"
I sighed. If only my best friend wasn't such a self-sacrificing idiot.
I walked over to him and put my hands on his shoulders, looking into his impossibly bright blue eyes and seeing the anger evaporate in them. A lock of his blonde hair fell into his eyes, and I brushed it away with somewhat more tenderness than I meant to portray. His eyes took on a shocked look as he finally realised why I was so angry about this; yes I cared about my best friend a little more than a "friend" should.. I let go of his shoulders and turned away, clearing my throat while trying to pretend that it had never happened. "And how does Estelle feel about this?"
Surprised at the sudden change of topic, Flynn stumbled for words before admitting that he hadn't had a chance to speak to her yet. I sighed.
"I'd better go have a chat with her then, hadn't I?" And with that, I walked out of the room, my footsteps picking up pace as I heard Flynn call out behind me. "Yuri, wait!"
I knocked on Estelle's door, a strange sense of foreboding filling me as a waited for an answer. As the Princess' soft voice bid me to enter, I did just that.
Estelle, who was sat by her window reading one of her many books, looked up as I entered, and immediately her eyes lit up. "Yuri!" suddenly I found myself being accosted by a flurry of pink and white as the cerise haired Princess all but crushed me in a tight embrace.
I chuckled lightly. "Good to see you too, Estelle." As I looked down at her and noticed the tears in her eyes, my face turned serious. "I guess you're as much against the decision as Flynn is, huh?" I asked softly.
"He told you? Oh Yuri, I want to marry the person I love, not be thrown into a political marriage" the Princess cried into my chest, still not letting go. I reached down and gently tilted her chin up, wiping away the tears.
"then we'll just have to see what we can do about getting this sham called off, won't we?" I told her with a small smile.
Estelle smiled brightly, where the tears had been in her eyes now shining with hope. "You'll help us do that Yuri? Oh thank you!" She hugged me tighter, all but cutting off my ability to breathe.
"Est..elle?" I coughed out. Her eyes widened as she realised what she was doing.
"Oh Yuri, I'm so sorry!" She gasped as she let go, allowing me to catch my wind.
"Heh, no worries. I just happen to need oxygen to live is all," I gave her my patented mischievous smirk, before actually registering what she had said earlier.
"Hm, so you said you want to marry 'who you love'.. so you have someone in mind?" The princess' cheeks flushed a colour to rival her hair.
"Um, n-no, I meant.. Um.. Who I fall in love with in the future."
"No no no no no; you said who you love, which means you are already in love with someone" I gave her a sly smile. "So, is it anyone I know?"
Estelle looked away and I followed her gaze out of the window and onto the city below.
"You could say that" she said softly.
"you know, if you like someone that much, you should tell them how you really feel. Life's to short to live with regrets." I explained, seriously.
She looked at me, startled. "you think I should?"
"Sure, you only live once, right?" I flash my patented smirk again.
Before I realised what was happening, Estelle stepped up to me. Placing her hands on my chest through the opening of my shirt, she placed her lips softly on mine.
I backed up in shock, and before I knew it, I was pressed back-first against the wall, Estelle pressing against me as her lips pressed against mine with increasing passion. I opened my mouth to protest, realising my mistake at that precise moment as she slipped her tongue in. To shocked to move, I just stood there as her tongue mapped the inside of my mouth.
Once I finally found myself able to form cohesive thoughts, I gently pushed her backwards, surprising her.
"Estelle I .. this isn't right".
She looked up at me, shock and hurt in her large emerald eyes. "But… you told me I should go for it!"
I sighed. "I didn't think you meant me!"
Tears formed in her eyes once again. "But you're the one I love, Yuri" she pouted.
"I love you too Estelle.. But not like that." I turned to her. "You're like the little sister I never had. Someone to protect and look after." I sighed again. "I'm sorry."
She hugged me, the tears running down her cheeks. "Couldn't you at least.. try? You could grow to love me" she inquired hopefully.
I shook my head. "I'm sorry Estelle… It's impossible for me to love anyone else." She looked up at me in surprise. Realising my slip, I tried to amend it. "Uh, I mean.. it's.."
"You're in love with someone else!" I felt the heat rise in my cheeks.
"No, I.." She placed a finger on my lips, silencing me. She smiled.
"It's alright Yuri, I understand. Hmm, maybe I should go ahead and marry Flynn afterall…" she trailed off as I visibly blanched, realisation making her eyes glow. She gasped. "You're in love with Flynn!"
I looked at her in shock, my blush deepening. "What? No! I.."
"It's true, isn't it! Ohh, that is so cuuute!" she giggled.
"What's cute?" an inquisitive voice came from the slightly ajar door. Flynn hesitantly walked into the room, ignoring my startled expression.
"Flynn, what are you doing here?" I asked, trying to cover my astonishment.
"I just thought I'd drop by and see how the conversation was going" he responded casually. "So what's so cute?"
I turned away to look out the window to hide the blush slowly creeping up my cheeks.
"Yuri is in love with someone we know", Estelle told him slyly. I shot her a dark look, knowing that Flynn would try to bug the answer out of me.
"Oh, with who?" the blonde questioned , arching a brow.
Estelle smiled mischievously. "Can't tell. I promised to keep it a secret."
Flynn turned to me, a determined expression on his face, before the door all but burst open. "Commandant!" Sodia snapped to attention.
Flynn sighed, knowing that questioning me would have to wait. "What is it Sodia?"
"We have a situation that requires your immediate attention. A group of powerful monsters is heading towards the capital, and with the barrier down…" she trailed off.
"Which side are they approaching from?" I asked. Sodia refused to meet my eyes. "The west."
My eyes widened at the realisation that the monsters were heading directly to the completely unprotected Lower Quarter.
"Gather the troops, get them prepped for battle. I'm on my way." Flynn turned to Estellle and myself. "We'll finish this conversation later." I shot him a mock salute as he turned to leave, heading to the window as soon as he was out of the door.
"you're going down there, aren't you?" Estelle asked.
"By the time the Knights are ready to fight the Lower Quarter will be destroyed. I can't just sit around and wait while my people are slaughtered."
She kissed me softly on the cheek. "good luck."
I shot her a smirk then jumped out of the window onto the ground below where Repede was waiting for me. "Let's go Repede, the Lower Quarter needs our help". The warrior dog barked in response as we set off at a run for the entrance to the Lower Quarter. Hopefully we could head off the monsters before they reached the town.
Estelle stood at her window, watching us go. "Please spirits, protect them" she prayed.