Somnus Lucis Caelum

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Aerith's gaze leapt back to him when he spoke of Jacob learning the truth. That had been her new haunting. She survived Emmanuel's erratic nature by the grace of his father, and when his father took ill, she knew her situation was on the brink of something terrible. Her first gamble had been to heal the old King on his deathbed, holding back the crown from Emmanuel... what she hadn't planned was for her husband to kill his own father that same night, or that she had doomed herself to a public trial that spread like wildfire.

The gamble paid off when news of the accused healer reached Jacob. She thought her days severely numbered, but another fire was to spread, one that exploded through Emmanuel's stone walls and burned with a vengeance. Choked by thick smoke and with ash as her only crown, she found her salvation, a salvation that had come at unimaginable cost.

Her thanks to Jacob had been to betray him the moment his nature didn't align with her own values. That note haunted her. This was worse than her trial. She still waited for someone to discover that slip of paper somewhere within the castle grounds, it would only be a matter of time, she thought.

Instead another King stood before her. Another damned King.

Somnus didn't seem to have another motive. At least, it wasn't one he made obvious. He promised her things she barely dared to dream of any longer. To return home. To form an alliance when no one else dared to, Jacob had put a stop to those pesky promises a long time ago.

Her focus fell from his face to his offered hand. She hesitated to accept, but accept she did, both of her own hands came to gently hold around his as though she prayed for him.

"Jacob Seed is no ordinary man. You speak the truth, he won't rest until he has the children back. He is beyond obsessed. Deep down I know a war cannot be avoided, but I don't understand how anyone could kill him..." Aerith's faith in Somnus was shaky at best. Both of her hands squeezed around his and her eyes briefly closed. A gentle pulse of magic emanated from her hands where glowing green tendrils and whisps danced up his arm and slowly spread until he was engulfed by it, and slowly it sank through cloth and skin, finding a home inside of him.

"... take my blessing." Jacob hadn't discovered her betrayal, and she would have taken it to her grave. But this. It would be a slap to his face. Small traces of her magic would remain with Somnus until her blessing had been broken. "Understand that this is a fight you cannot lose. Your godchildren only have you standing between them and Jacob's wrath. Everything else is ash."

She accepted. That was... all he could have asked off of her. He knew that this was a leap of faith for her. And her life had proven that such could be fatal most of the times. Or land her in worse situations at best. But he had no ill intention towards her. She had been the key in getting Ariadne and Vergil back to safety. A feat he had not mastered in years.

Watching the gentle glow of her green blessing, Somnus could feel the tickle of her magic. It felt so... clean, pure and warm. Healing. Like a warm summer wind caressing his skin.

It was almost too good for him. Him and his powers.

An opposite again. Her powers were so much more like those of his brother had been... and for a moment Somnus felt a strange mixture of guilt and fear. And envy. But this was not the place nor the time.

"Thank you.", he replied, his other hand coming forth to cove rover one of hers. This was a pact now.

There was slight shake of his head following.

"I know it's only me between them and him. That is why I will not lose. I can not. And you gave me the ability to use my powers here... formerly I did not dare to. I feared for the children being in harms way. I would not put it beyond Jacob to use them as shields."

And I could never forgive myself, if I hurt them. Even by accident. Even if I just lose control.

No, his powers did not allow for any accidents or collaterals.

"There is also something you need to understand... you will have to stay at my side in this. My men are strewn outside the forts walls in the forest and undergrowth. They can divert attention. But I will face Jacob... and I can't afford to lose sight of you. I can only ensure your safety when you stay with me. This means you will also have to stand across from him. Can you handle that? Can you stand in that ash and be sullied by it too?"

Noctis Somnus Lucis Caelum 

Them. Ariadne and Vergil. The Nihilis twins. Xemos' and Lazentis' whole pride and joy. They were here. Never in a million years would Somnus have believed anyone that his godchildren would simply walk into his tent that night. It was laughable. They were not supposed to be here, even if it now was Somnus' entire relief. They were supposed to be in the castle of the red wolf. Nowhere else. How? Why? He was their godfather - and yet he was also a king and warrior. His eyes darting to the tent's tarps and then to Gilgamesh, almost a glare. He was ready for Jacob himself to show up. A trap. Anything. But nothing came and his Shield shook his head. Holding Vergil close, cupping his head, Somnus watched Ariadne approach. She had been different back then. Always protective of Vergil, but she had been loud and boisterous. She was the one who stormed for hugs. Vergil was gentle. Now she was wary, full of doubts and disappointments of this world. She was too young for that. Carefully, Somnus reached out when she askd his name. She remembered. If barely. "Yes... Som. It's me. Your uncle. Oh by the Gods... how did you get here? Are you hurt? You wear too little, you must be cold." No matter how unbelievable this scene was, their wellbeing was paramount. Unclasping his blue mantle, Somnus laid it around Vergil's thin shoulders and held the other end out for Ariadne to wrap herself into. If she decided to get closer. The king had to blink briefly. He was no man that was easily moved to tears. But this? To have them back in his arms? Oh… "Do you remember me? We used to play in the vineyards. When our families visited each other... you were so small back then. I thought I lost you..."

Somnus reached out, and Ariadne came. His outstretched hand was an offer... but she had seen a King's offer before... had been bellowed at, had felt the thunderous shake of a fist brought down next to her in anger, had been weighed up like her worth might decrease if she proved herself too little. There were lingering little doubts in her mind... doubts that were quietened by his questions. He cared about them in a way that felt like home. Like how it was supposed to be.

"We walked." she answered simply. Her head bowed and she looked to her feet where she flexed her toes. They were sore, and she was cold, and her mind felt exhausted in a way that screamed both she and Vergil had used their power a lot. But then she uttered words he would understand were not from her mouth. "We're strong. We can handle it."

Those were words from King Jacob. The twins had already been conditioned like child soldiers who had to strive for more.

Are you strong or are you weak?

Are you tired or have you given up trying?

Are you born of gods or men?

Despite her bold claim she didn't shy away from his mantle. If anything, she shuffled closer into the warmth, it was as if the material had soaked up his body heat to warm them extra. Finally she reached her little arms up and joined in the shared embrace.

Vergil on the other hand reached up and gently wiped away one of his Uncle's tears. And then, in an action that had clearly been learned, he reached up to give his head a small pat and ruffled his hair.

"You gave us wooden swords." Ariadne recalled. Not the real kind. Not for training. They were toys, and she thought Somnus was their monster to chase. She had a fuzzy memory of him promising to eat all of the grapes if no one stopped him.

"Blue crystals." Vergil uttered. The kind that shimmered and danced. Somnus always dazzled him with them. Like a magician.

They were still so small. They had been tots last time he had seen them, now they were children. But still so small and thin. And he didn't even want to think about what they had went through. No child would wander out into the dark and cold barefoot, if they had a place they could consider safe and home.

Jacob would pay for this. For every second he had stolen them away from their lives.

They had a few memories, and Somnus nodded to them. Fasting his mantle around their shoulders, he got up to get a few crystals from one of the metal bowls standing around, handing each twin a few. They were more like pebbles. Smooth and nice to feel and emitting blue light. A little treasure.

"You need a warm bath and warm clothes.", he explained to them as if it wasn't obvious. he had to be careful. He couldn't afford to scare or overwhelm them.

A nod towards Gilgamesh and the silent bodyguard knew to get for some of the servants to get a tub of warm water and clothes for the children ready.

The arrival of the twins had happened in the middle of the night but it crossed the camp like a firestorm. Many were awake. Talking, whispering. Their mission was in an entirely new direction now. Somnus had not yet decided whether they would immediately retreat into safer territories. Was this a trap by Jacob himself? He would have to get more information before making any decision... but before the sun could rise, there would be one.

The twins were kept in Somnus' tent. Gilgamesh and Aleeva, one of Somnus' most trusted Glaives helped prepare the bath and warm furs. She had a gentle smile, even if the twins wouldn't know her, they could feel she had no bad intentions towards them. No one here had.

Placing his hands on their heads, Somnus directed them towards the warm water.

"You can bathe or just wash your feet, that is entirely up to you. The water is warm, it will get rid of the cold outside. And then you get new clothes... a little too big for you, but we will make it work. No one expected you to just... come. Didn't Jacob lock you up?"

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There had been plans. A dozen of them, all different to adapt to different scenarios. It was bets to always be prepared. It was clear that Jacob would never hand the children over. The poor queen he had taken prisoner too - she was nothing else, even if she thought so - had also been considered as a weak spot to enter the castle. But Somnus felt for her, somehow. She was in this situation because her fate had been burned. If he used her to get at Jacob, she' be the one to pay the consequences. There was no honour in that.

But all the careful planning and strategizing could not have prepared Somnus for what happened that night. He had been sitting over maps and letters still, when Gilgamesh threw the tents' tarp back - and there just was a strange look on his face. One of surprise - and yet no alarm. Somnus had half gotten up from his seat... and froze for a moment when he saw who entered after Gilgamesh. Two children. Two small children in barely more than linen nightgowns. An expression like a scowl on their little faces - tan faces, framed by silver hair. "Ariadne... Vergil…" It had been so long since he saw them last - did they even remember his face at all? They had been barely toddlers back then. Somnus had to reign his stare in and he had to remind himself not to storm towards them. They were careful, wary. They better be. Instead he stayed where he was, slowly lowering himself to a couch, so he was at eye level. He did not have to remind himself of a smile though. Even in all those waves of disbelief... "... do you remember me?"

Ariadne was the wary of the two.

Vergil had stepped forward, meaning to advance closer to the dark-haired King, but she outstretched her arm to stop him. His eyes were wider. More trusting. Whatever conversation the twins shared was a conversation in complete silence.

After a moment longer, Ariadne lowered her arm, and her brother approached the familiar man. He lifted his arms up and cracked a smile when he was picked up, he cuddled up to him, his head sweetly rested to his shoulder. It was a show of utter trust even if he had forgotten his name.

"Uncle." Vergil spoke, barely above a whisper. It was the first word uttered out loud. The very first. No one but Ariadne had heard him speak with his out loud voice.

Ariadne, stubborn as a cat, remained exactly where she stood. She watched them, and then she looked to the wall of the tent. There were two banners on display. One, belonging to this King, and another that she recognised on sight. It was a banner of a lion, with a solar crown, all in threads of gold upon a tapestry of red. She had seen this banner, and others like it, all within her own home. Her father's father's father had a lion with a crown. Her father's father had a lion that had lost its crown. Her father had a lion with a sun crown. She was too little to know the history behind the changes, but one thing she did know was this was the banner of her own father.

When Ariadne turned back to them, her eyes were full of questions. Finally she approached. "...... Som."

Uncle Som. There were barely hints of memories there, but the twins knew him. Before their home had been attacked, there was a lot of talk about Uncle Som. Talk of a visit that never came to be.

Them. Ariadne and Vergil. The Nihilis twins. Xemos' and Lazentis' whole pride and joy. They were here. Never in a million years would Somnus have believed anyone that his godchildren would simply walk into his tent that night. It was laughable. They were not supposed to be here, even if it now was Somnus' entire relief. They were supposed to be in the castle of the red wolf. Nowhere else. How? Why? He was their godfather - and yet he was also a king and warrior. His eyes darting to the tent's tarps and then to Gilgamesh, almost a glare. He was ready for Jacob himself to show up. A trap. Anything. But nothing came and his Shield shook his head. Holding Vergil close, cupping his head, Somnus watched Ariadne approach. She had been different back then. Always protective of Vergil, but she had been loud and boisterous. She was the one who stormed for hugs. Vergil was gentle. Now she was wary, full of doubts and disappointments of this world. She was too young for that. Carefully, Somnus reached out when she askd his name. She remembered. If barely. "Yes... Som. It's me. Your uncle. Oh by the Gods... how did you get here? Are you hurt? You wear too little, you must be cold." No matter how unbelievable this scene was, their wellbeing was paramount. Unclasping his blue mantle, Somnus laid it around Vergil's thin shoulders and held the other end out for Ariadne to wrap herself into. If she decided to get closer. The king had to blink briefly. He was no man that was easily moved to tears. But this? To have them back in his arms? Oh… "Do you remember me? We used to play in the vineyards. When our families visited each other... you were so small back then. I thought I lost you..."

You do not belong here. Your parents entrusted you to the care of King Somnus of Scholar's Hearth.

The secret message had plagued Ariadne's thoughts for days. She had withdrawn into her own inner world, had cast her power far and wide to figure out what this all meant. She thought it a cruel joke. Or a test. King Jacob had no such thoughts about it, nor his most trusted elite... until she touched upon the healer Queen's mind... she lived in fear and worry, so much so that it gave a chill up her own spine.

The healer Queen had snuck a message to them. It was a lose-lose situation for her, because if Ariadne revealed the secret message, she lost. And if she listened to it, everyone lost, didn't they?

But she was still only a child. Even though she thought it through and considered the consequences, there was a selfishness in her heart. The desire for something better for herself and for Vergil.

Like thieves in the night they snuck from their rooms with only the clothes on their back. The King's castle was a fortress, but for all the walls and for all the men, there was still just enough opportunity for two young children to slip away from the inside to the outside.

Parchment crumpled in her hand, Ariadne led them into the heart of King Somnus' camp. He had been stationed nearby, and yet so far for little feet, it was impressive that the children had made it there before sunrise. Their time within the forest had served them well.

No one dared to stop them in their march. No one quite knew how to react. The twins walked right into the King's tent like they had the god given right to, and Ariadne outstretched her hand, passing her crumpled note to the King himself.

There had been plans. A dozen of them, all different to adapt to different scenarios. It was bets to always be prepared. It was clear that Jacob would never hand the children over. The poor queen he had taken prisoner too - she was nothing else, even if she thought so - had also been considered as a weak spot to enter the castle. But Somnus felt for her, somehow. She was in this situation because her fate had been burned. If he used her to get at Jacob, she' be the one to pay the consequences. There was no honour in that.

But all the careful planning and strategizing could not have prepared Somnus for what happened that night. He had been sitting over maps and letters still, when Gilgamesh threw the tents' tarp back - and there just was a strange look on his face. One of surprise - and yet no alarm. Somnus had half gotten up from his seat... and froze for a moment when he saw who entered after Gilgamesh. Two children. Two small children in barely more than linen nightgowns. An expression like a scowl on their little faces - tan faces, framed by silver hair. "Ariadne... Vergil…" It had been so long since he saw them last - did they even remember his face at all? They had been barely toddlers back then. Somnus had to reign his stare in and he had to remind himself not to storm towards them. They were careful, wary. They better be. Instead he stayed where he was, slowly lowering himself to a couch, so he was at eye level. He did not have to remind himself of a smile though. Even in all those waves of disbelief... "... do you remember me?"

She knew how to talk. She knew how to evade an accusation, like a dance. She was smart. Somnus had to give her credit for that. It surely was not any easier to live at Jacob's side than it had been at Emmanuel's. These two men barely had any difference to Somnus. Simple brutes with too much power.

"It could only have been a few hours. A day at most. New reached my kingdom later than Jacob's. And I arrived just after he must have taken the children from the forest. He might have saved them from the cold, but he brought them into hell to warm them up. When I pleaded for them later, he refused any communication so far."

To put it simple. Very simple. tension had been high ever since then. But Somnus had had his hands bound. he could not simply invade a kindgom that kept his godchildren close to their king. Jacob could have killed them with a flick of his wrist. Gruesomely.

Watching Lady Aerith, Somnus contemplated what answer could be enough for her. But there were no secrets that were of use here. And he would never lie about Ariadne and Vergil's parents.

"Their parents were a proud pair. They loved their children - and each other. Their mother was a strong and fearless woman. One that could move mountains. Leading the Xe tribe and handling the shadows with no fear. Their father was one of the smartest, if not the smartest man I had ever had the pleasure to meet. He was the softer of them, but his tongue could cut worse than any sword, sharpened with his wit and intellect. I have no doubt that their twins are growing up to eb a lot like a perfect mixture of them both. And most importantly... they would have never wanted a man like Jacob to watch over their children. Never."

That familiar unease was making itself known. Nothing about this situation sat well for Aerith. The more Somnus explained, the worse she felt, and she couldn't help but feel this was her grand test. That somehow Jacob orchestrated her to meet with his guest early to gauge how she spoke and how she reacted to all of this.

Part of her felt like a failure as a mother. Because truly, in her heart of hearts, she would have bundled those twins up in thick furs and handed them over to this man freely. She could see that this was their better future.

But part of her knew that survival in a royal court wasn't a simple task.

If she put one foot wrong. Uttered one phrase that could be misconstrued as treason. It wasn't solely her life on the line, but her daughters as well.

Aerith was well into negotiations for Grace to return to the Faremis kingdom. For her mother, Queen Ifalna, to raise her as heir. King Jacob didn't see sense in it, perhaps all he saw was sending a healer away, and her insistence fell on deaf ears.

That in mind, even if she wanted to help — and part of her did — she understood the cost of doing so far outweighed what was right.

"... You can rest assured knowing that I, too, am watching over Ariadne and Vergil." It was another dance with words. She couldn't agree that Jacob wouldn't be anyone's first choice as a guardian. He was rough. Hardened by war, and only ever seemed to think of the next battle. Children grew up very quickly around men like him. "Ariadne has a lot of spirit. Not even the Goddess could sway her once her mind is made up. Vergil is such a sweet boy. A lot of people mistake him as being quiet, but those people don't understand that you only have to be on the same level as him. Ask him a question about something he is interested in and his voice is found."

Aerith shifted in her chair. She leaned forward with her hands folded politely on her lap, and oh, she wanted to help this man. This noble, foolish man, but it was almost like Death himself stood at her side and placed his hand at her shoulder. She knew she couldn't.

"Perhaps if you knew how to guide them to move mountains like their mother, or to cut down men with their tongues. They could do with a mentor. Their power is... fascinating."

Somnus knew this was all a song and dance that could cost them both their lives. And so many more. A lesson that had been taught to him by none other than the twin's mother. Xemos and Lazentis had taught him a lot. He owed them. And he was deeply ashamed he could not repay that debt yet. In years of greatest need. Their children deserved freedom and a better life. Not whatever this brute was giving them.

What Aerith told him was not a surprise to Somnus. he had watched the twins at times when they had been barely able to walk and talk. Even back then it had been showing who would carry which traits in life. He had been the same age back then as they were now. He had to get them out.

For their sake.

And for everyone around them... the powers slumbering within them could devastate entire towns if not honed and trained correctly. They could swallow and break the twins, too...

Time was trickling on.

And years of polite political talk had been for naught.

So it was time to try different approached. More direct ones.

Tilting his head a little, he seemed almost amused about her vague offer of being a mentor to the twins.

"Oh. I could teach them that easily. And more. It was supposed to be my duty anyway. They are my godchildren. I should have started their proper training years ago, but this brutish king is preventing me even getting close to them. He know she has nothing to offer Ariadne and Vergil. Their powers are extreme. They have several gods' bloods within them. They need someone who understands and knows. Not some stuck-up bastard, who only knows war and his own ways. Jacob will one day cause death through them. Perhaps to himself, if we are lucky. Most likely to everyone in his castle and the surrounding towns, if we are being realistic. It will not be their fault. It will be his."

                                   “Hear me, Lucian kings of old,                                     for I am Ravus Nox Fleuret                       and none is more worthy of your power than I.” 

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                                                              (Promo)

gaspard ulliel as louis (juste la fin du monde) icons. like or reblog if you save! credits on twitter: @insomnixs.

There were many questions Somnus had about her. She behaved so differently from what he had expected. And he had a feeling she wasn't playing games - he had to be careful, though. Someone who had survived Emmanuel and now survived Jacob was someone, who had more strength than whole troops of brave warriors.

And maybe more skills in manipulation, than anyone should have... what was her endgoal in all of this? Power? An army and kingdom for herself? Or just a life for her and her daughter? She hailed from another kingdom... would she want to return there?

In time, maybe, he would be able to have all these questions answered. But for now, there was curiosity on both of their ends.

Smirking a little, Somnus took a sip from the goblet he had been offered. Of course Jacob would be... less than happy about him.

"Well. That might be because I suspect Jacob has taken something from a few friends of mine years ago. Stolen it.", he alluded, weighing, how much he could tell her. Though she would find out sooner or later anyway, today. Because Somnus would not beat around the topic with Jacob.

His tone grew colder then. He hated this and it was palpable. Putting the goblet down again, his eyes met Aerith's again.

"The silver wolves. That's the name the people gave them. A set of twins, skilled with magic powers. And silver hair. They are my godchildren. And Jacob kidnapped them after their parents' death. But he keeps them away from this information - and from me. He had no right to ruin their lives like that. Ariadne and Vergil deserved better than being forced into war by a brute, who knows nothing about children and only had mercy on them because he wanted to take advantage of their powers."

Aerith turned her head slightly. There had been a shift in mood, and Somnus made it immediately evident that he was not here to play at games. He struck at the heart of the matter. It was noble of him... and foolish.

"Go on." she urged. She would hear of what King Jacob had stolen.

... though even she was a little surprised to hear the answer.

Ariadne and Vergil were Jacob's greatest pride. The twins sat at the King's table and kept close quarters to him. They weren't simply wards, they were part of his innermost sanctum, and their word was valued as much as his chosen. She shifted, the information did not sit well with her.

But she had to keep up appearances. Even here, even in a moment where they seemed to be all alone, the Queen knew how much little birds could hear and report. "I can't say that I understand." she sat forward. "How could they have been kidnapped when by all accounts they were rescued from a forest?"

She didn't wish to be so cold. In truth, the mother in her ached. Even now these very twins had their baby fat still clinging to them, no matter how grown they acted. "I must admit that I am otherwise sorry. I have a daughter of my own, you see. Should I draw my last breath and leave her to this world without me, I know my final wish would be for her to know a life of happiness and of mercy. War... well, we both know what war is." It was not a place for children.

Then she asked something that felt too important to gloss over. "Tell me of their parents?"

@somnus-lucis-caelum

She knew how to talk. She knew how to evade an accusation, like a dance. She was smart. Somnus had to give her credit for that. It surely was not any easier to live at Jacob's side than it had been at Emmanuel's. These two men barely had any difference to Somnus. Simple brutes with too much power.

"It could only have been a few hours. A day at most. New reached my kingdom later than Jacob's. And I arrived just after he must have taken the children from the forest. He might have saved them from the cold, but he brought them into hell to warm them up. When I pleaded for them later, he refused any communication so far."

To put it simple. Very simple. tension had been high ever since then. But Somnus had had his hands bound. he could not simply invade a kindgom that kept his godchildren close to their king. Jacob could have killed them with a flick of his wrist. Gruesomely.

Watching Lady Aerith, Somnus contemplated what answer could be enough for her. But there were no secrets that were of use here. And he would never lie about Ariadne and Vergil's parents.

"Their parents were a proud pair. They loved their children - and each other. Their mother was a strong and fearless woman. One that could move mountains. Leading the Xe tribe and handling the shadows with no fear. Their father was one of the smartest, if not the smartest man I had ever had the pleasure to meet. He was the softer of them, but his tongue could cut worse than any sword, sharpened with his wit and intellect. I have no doubt that their twins are growing up to eb a lot like a perfect mixture of them both. And most importantly... they would have never wanted a man like Jacob to watch over their children. Never."