Facade of kindness

Legion masks his fear of this version of himself with a joke as he clicks off it and continues his mind blank as he walks, even though Cinder talks non stop, he still couldn't stop the feeling of hopelessness and disgust he feels just looking at it. 

Did I make the right decision, by becoming this thing? I've spent countless years killing monsters and now I'm one. How the tables have turned on me, and there's no way it can turn back. 

It's set in stone. The fundamentals of the world I once knew are now gone, the tides will be shifted. If I want to live this is the only way. 

I need to accept this fate, but can I?

Yes. It's the only way. I want to make a name for myself so if this is what it takes I'll have to learn how to live with it. Not all monsters turn out bad, so if I keep my goal in mind and prevail I should be fine. 

Right? 

Legion tries to put his mind at ease for time being, forgetting about what he is so he can fully focus on the things that need to be done right now, and that is getting more flowers achieving someone who I know would do anything to keep people safe, then going back to the meeting spot. 

[Noctis's pov] 

My mother was a potion brewer. Her potions were something of greatness, a time where this strong-hold wasn't so cold and the air of hopelessness wasn't always lingering in the air, tying you down to a fate that is destined. 

Death. 

She was my light, the person I looked up to. Though her hair wasn't white like mine but a soft brown that drawed you in and hazel eyes that fixated with a radiate gold. And even as she was dying that light never dimmed. 

It stayed and it grew, just so that one day we can live a peaceful life. So if I can make that happen, I will. 

Walking up to the orc base, Noctise observes the orcs scattered around, some patrolling, others sharpening their blades as usual. Approaching the entrance, she scans the area, looking for the familiar orc escort who would take her to see her brother. 

Yuna is never this late. Did something come up? I hope she doesn't postpone this meeting, I do have other things to look for.

She glances down at her brown side bag, trusting that her invisibility potion inside is working. Though it's her first time creating one and she hasn't had a chance to test it, she has confidence in her skill—her potion wouldn't fail her.

My mothers notes never fail me and I followed it without any errors, so it should work, no it will work, it has to. 

The things this boy has me doing. But at least if it wasn't for him I would have stayed obedient and missed chances to try out and make new potions I would only dream of making. 

Brother would be so disappointed, but it's for him to live too, so I'm doing him a favour. And since mom isn't alive to protect us anymore, and he's in the dungeon, It's all on me to make sure we survive. 

Yet, I'm still confused about why they lock him up instead of killing him like the rest. 

"Over here," a deep, raspy voice calls out. Glancing toward the corner by the large wall, near the familiar door they usually go through, she spots the hulking green orc standing there, waving her over.

"Oh." She turns and moves over speedily. "Yuna!" She cheers, with a bright smile on her face masking her genuine distaste. 

"Noctis." She voices softly but raspy. 

Yuna is the only person who's kind to Noctis, yet Noctis still doesn't like her. How could she enjoy the company of someone who had oppressed her since childhood? To avoid seeming like a threat—and to keep the only person who could help her see her brother—she puts on a front. 

A facade of kindness. 

Just as she does with her customers at the potion shop. 

"May we get going?" Noctis questions with a title of her head. "I would really like to meet my brother, I bought bread for him!" 

"Yes." She turns, the green of her skin reflecting off the sun's ray as they enter into the building. 

I don't hate all monsters. If Legion truly became one, I could accept him. But those who crave power solely to oppress and control—that disgusts me. Humans or monsters, it makes no difference. 

There's a thin line between seeking power to do good and wielding it just to cause harm. That's what my mother taught me, and it's a motto I'll always live by. So, if Legion chooses that path, I'll no longer be part of his little group. I'll find a way out on my own, without anyone's help.

Passing a few doors and orcs, they reached the door leading down to the dungeon. "Here." Yuna stops in her tracks. "You know your way." 

"Yup!" Noctis says, pushing open the door and starting down the cobblestone stairs. "Thank you, Yuna!" she shouts just before the door closes. As soon as it clicks shut, her cheerful expression fades into a serious look, and she adjusts her glasses with a focused air.

Alright, first, I need to make sure my brother is safe—then comes the snooping. I notice that Yuna never strays too far when she knows I'm around. Orcs constantly patrol these hallways, always armed, and with my potion's effects on a timer, I have to move fast. 

Whatever they're using has to be somewhere in here, so finding it shouldn't be too hard.

From my mothers notes, the barrier they use is on that reflects the mana that is swirling outside and keeping human life forms inside. This was created by the first monarch, the monarch of creation, the last dragon. 

A mechanism created just for human suppression. 

Her shoes clack against the stone as she descends the stairs, recalling every detail her mother recorded in her notes. She's memorized the words so thoroughly that they've become a part of her. 

And because of the orcs' goes off of strength and empowerment, once they've defeated someone, they assume that person can't overpower them again. It's a serious flaw in their thinking—a huge setback for them but a major advantage for us. 

That's how I know the object they're using to keep this barrier up is not well guarded or hidden. 

"Sister?" A voice echoes through the walls of the dungeon, and her great skips a beat. 

"Brother! I'm coming!" she calls out, hurrying down the stairs. She halts at the bottom, the metallic scent of blood thick in the air, but she pushes past it, charging forward. Turning a corner, she stops by the first cell, her heart pounding as she scans for any sign of him. "Brother…"