"A dream? Was all of it a dream?" Noctis thought, his mind still foggy as he sat up in bed. He glanced around his room, half-expecting to see the eerie hall from his dream, but everything was... normal. The familiar surroundings—the wooden desk, the cluttered cabinet, the patterned rug—grounded him in reality.
His gaze lingered on the full-length body mirror in the corner, its ornate frame catching the faint morning light. With a sigh, he stood up and approached it, his footsteps soft against the wooden floor. As he passed the desk, his eyes briefly flicked to the spot where the scroll had been, but he pushed the thought aside.
Standing in front of the mirror, Noctis studied his reflection. The young man staring back at him was in his early 20s, with onyx-colored hair of medium length that matched the deep black of his eyes. He wore a crisp white long-sleeved shirt, its brightness almost luminescent against the dark fabric of his tailored trousers. His attire was modest—neither lavish nor threadbare—but it suited him well.
Still haunted by the remnants of his dream, Noctis tried to shake off the unease that clung to him like a shadow. He ran a hand through his hair, attempting to smooth out the disheveled strands, but the feeling that he was forgetting something nagged at him.
His thoughts drifted to the academy, and his eyes fell on the armchair near the mirror. There, resting on the seat, was a silver pocket watch. He picked it up, the cool metal grounding him as he checked the time: 8:31. "Ah," he muttered, realizing he was running late.
Quickly, Noctis rummaged through his closet, pulling out a clean white long-sleeved shirt, dark trousers, and a matching waistcoat. He dressed swiftly, his movements efficient as he tidied himself in the mirror. Grabbing his coat from the hanger beside the door, he rushed out of his room, his boots clicking sharply against the wooden floor.
The apartment building was quiet as he descended the staircase, passing a few closed doors on his way down. Stepping out the front door, Noctis was greeted by the bustling street. People passed by—a mailman with a satchel, a carriage rattling down the cobblestones, poor children in ragged clothes playing near the corner, and a beggar sitting against a wall, his eyes dazed and distant. The sun was hidden behind a layer of clouds, casting a muted light over the scene.
Noctis tried to push the 'dream' of last night away from his mind. He adjusted his coat and set off down the street, his pace quick and determined. Whatever mysteries that piece of weathered paper held, they would have to wait. For now, he had an academy to attend.
***
July 14th
Central Continent, Aurelius Capital, City of Irys.
The sun hung hidden behind a thick layer of clouds, casting a muted, almost melancholic light over the bustling city of Irys. At the heart of the city stood the enormous Cathedral of Selene, its towering spires piercing the sky. The cathedral was a hive of activity, with people flowing in and out, their footsteps echoing against the stone steps. Birds flitted about, chirping cheerfully, while the distant clatter of carriages and the hum of conversation filled the air. Nearby, shops and a bakery bustled with customers, the scent of fresh bread wafting through the streets.
Several meters away from the cathedral, on a weathered wooden bench, sat two figures—a young man and a young woman, they're whispering intently. The young man exuded a lighthearted, almost carefree demeanor. His medium-to-long hair, the darkest shade of blue, was tousled yet stylish, perfectly matching his seemingly carefree personality. Beside him sat a young woman with silky, dark hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Her smooth, pale skin and sharp features gave her an air of quiet elegance.
"Are you kidding me?" the young woman said in a soft but incredulous voice, her dark red eyes narrowing. "You're planning to rob the Cathedral of Selene based on an information from who-knows-where came from?"
"I'm telling you, Vera," the young man replied, his voice tinged with a hint of excitement, "the informant this time was a seeker! I always thought they were just kids' tales, but this one seemed... different."
Vera raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of skepticism and amusement. "Yeah, right. Lumian, do you honestly expect me to believe that a relic from some ancient myth is hidden under the main cathedral of the Church of Sincerity?"
"Calm down, Vera," Lumian said, waving a hand dismissively. "It's not like we're actually infiltrating the church. The informant—a self-proclaimed oracle—said the relic will reveal itself not long before midnight tonight. All we have to do is be there."
"Free relics, huh?" Vera replied dryly, crossing her arms. "You know what they say: free things cost the most, Lumian."
"Not this time," Lumian said with a grin. "I traded my revolver for the information. Besides, it was acquired illegally anyway."
Vera stared at him, her expression a mixture of disbelief and exasperation. Is this guy serious? she thought, shaking her head internally.
After a short pause, Lumian leaned back on the bench, his tone casual but mischievous. "And didn't you know? There's an unspoken law in archaeology: finders keepers. If they lost it, I can legally loot it." He chuckled, his dark blue hair catching a faint light.
"Yes, except we're thieves, not archaeologists," Vera replied, her voice flat. "It's called stealing."
"Steal? Such a harsh word," Lumian said, his grin widening. "I prefer the term... 'liberate.' Or maybe 'procure.'"
Vera couldn't help but sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You're going to get us killed one day, Lumian."
***
The same day that evening.
Noctis once again stepped through the towering silver gate of the academy, his head throbbing faintly. It wasn't the fatigue from studying—no, this was different. Lately, strange words and phrases had been echoing in his mind. The damn scroll was to blame, he was sure of it.
"Ah, I need sort this out by tonight," Noctis muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible over the distant hum of the city. But first, he needed dinner. The thought of food was a welcome distraction, and he decided on a simple yet hearty meal: roasted pork with potatoes.
As he walked, the murmurs in his mind persisted, like whispers from a forgotten dream. He tried to ignore them, focusing instead on the bustling streets around him. Vendors called out to passersby, their stalls equipped with, spices, and meats. The scent of a busy street filled the air, mingling with the faint tang of smoke from nearby chimneys.
Noctis made his way to a familiar street lined with stalls and shops. He haggled with a vendor for a bag of potatoes, his tone polite but firm, and picked up a few other ingredients along with a bundle of herbs, a small slab of pork, and a loaf of bread.
As he turned to leave, the murmurs in his head grew louder, "I am far too calm for this situation", he thought, his grip slightly tightening on the bag of groceries. He shook his head, trying to clear the noise, and began the walk back to his apartment.