)
The day arrived faster than Rio expected.
The moment he stepped into the guild's upper floor, the atmosphere felt different. Not heavier, not tense—but focused. Like everything had already been set into motion.
Lyra didn't tease him this time.
"The Guild Master is waiting."
Rio nodded and walked forward without hesitation.
A few moments later, he stood before the doors once again. This time, he didn't pause.
He pushed them open and stepped inside.
Elara was already there, seated behind her desk, her presence as calm and unreadable as ever.
"Good. You're here."
Rio stepped forward.
"Yes, Guild Master."
Her gaze lingered on him for a second before she spoke.
"You're about to enter your first mission."
Rio straightened slightly.
"This isn't training. No one will hold back for you out there. You won't get time to think, and you won't get a second chance if you hesitate."
Her voice remained calm, but every word carried weight.
"Do not rely on your power alone. Control it. Observe first. Act second."
A brief pause.
"And if something feels wrong—trust that instinct. It will save your life more than strength ever will."
Rio nodded.
"…Understood."
Elara reached to her side and placed something on the desk.
"Take this."
Rio stepped forward and picked it up.
A sword.
Not ordinary.
The blade was pitch black, darker than steel should be, as if it absorbed the light around it rather than reflected it. Its surface was smooth, almost unnaturally so, with faint, shifting patterns etched along the length—like shadows moving beneath the metal.
The edge was impossibly thin.
Refined.
Lethal.
The hilt was wrapped in dark leather, fitted perfectly to his grip, and the guard curved inward like it was designed to trap rather than simply block.
It felt… quiet.
Too quiet.
"This blade is called Nocturne Veil," Elara said.
Rio's fingers tightened slightly.
"Nocturne… Veil…"
"It was forged for precision, not destruction. It doesn't amplify power—it responds to control."
Her eyes met his.
"Which makes it suitable for you."
Rio gave a small nod.
"…Thank you."
Elara then placed another item in front of him.
A mask.
Rio picked it up slowly.
It was sleek and dark, crafted from a matte-black material that seemed to blend into shadows. The design was sharp and elegant, covering the upper half of his face while contouring perfectly along the cheekbones.
Thin silver lines ran across it—like frozen streaks of lightning—subtle, but striking.
The eye slits were narrow.
Cold.
Unreadable.
"This will conceal your identity," Elara said. "From sight—and from most forms of detection."
Rio nodded.
"…Understood."
Elara leaned back slightly.
"From this point onward…"
A brief pause.
"To the public, you are no longer Rio Valen."
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"You are Noctis."
Rio went still for just a second.
Noctis.
Not just a cover anymore.
An identity.
"…Understood."
For a brief moment—
Her expression softened.
"Good luck."
---
A few minutes later, Rio stepped out of the building.
The air outside felt sharper.
More real.
"…So this is it."
"Yo."
Rio looked up.
Leon stood near the entrance, leaning casually against a sleek hovering vehicle, its edges glowing faintly with blue energy.
"You took your time."
Rio walked toward him.
"…Had to pick up a few things."
Leon's eyes scanned him, stopping at the sword.
"Ooooh…"
A grin spread across his face.
"They gave you a named blade?"
He let out a low whistle.
"Elara truly treasures you.."
Rio didn't react.
Leon chuckled and pushed himself off the vehicle.
"Alright, let's not waste time."
He hopped into the driver's seat.
"Get in."
Rio stepped inside.
The interior was quiet, sealed, humming softly with energy.
Leon glanced sideways as the vehicle lifted.
"First mission, huh?"
"…Yeah."
Leon smirked.
"Don't die."
"…I'll try."
"That's not reassuring at all."
---
The vehicle shot forward.
The city stretched beneath them—layers of neon-lit buildings, flying figures, and moving aerial traffic forming an endless network of motion and light.
Rio glanced outside.
Still surreal.
Still unreal.
---
Leon spoke again.
"So, you nervous?"
Rio thought for a second.
"…Not really."
Leon raised a brow.
"Huh. Either you're confident… or stupid."
"Probably both."
Leon laughed.
"Yeah, I like you."
---
In the distance—
The Church appeared.
Massive.
Radiant.
Untouched.
---
Leon let out a small whistle.
"Still gives off that disgusting vibe…"
Rio didn't respond.
Because as they got closer—
That feeling returned.
Subtle.
Cold.
Wrong.
---
The vehicle slowed as it descended.
The hum of its engine softened as it approached the vast open grounds of the Church.
Rio's gaze remained fixed ahead.
Up close—
It was overwhelming.
The cathedral towered into the sky, its white marble structure flawless, almost unreal in its perfection. Towering spires stretched upward, carved with ancient symbols that faintly shimmered under the light.
Massive stained-glass windows reflected the sun in cascading colors, casting shifting patterns across the ground. The entire structure felt untouched by the chaos of the modern city surrounding it.
Still.
Sacred.
"…Damn," Rio muttered quietly.
Leon glanced outside briefly.
"…Yeah. Still looks expensive."
That was all.
No admiration.
No reverence.
---
The vehicle landed smoothly.
The moment the doors opened, a group of armored figures approached.
Paladins.
Their silver armor gleamed under the light, marked with the Church's winged crest. Their posture was straight, disciplined—but the moment their eyes landed on Leon, something shifted.
Recognition.
Then—
Restraint.
One of them stepped forward.
"…Leon."
Leon stepped out casually, stretching his arms slightly.
"Didn't think I'd get a welcome party."
The paladin's expression tightened just a little.
"We weren't informed you would be assigned to this escort."
Leon shrugged.
"Yeah? I wasn't informed I'd be coming either."
A small grin formed on his face.
"So we're even."
The paladin didn't respond immediately.
"…Follow me."
---
Rio stepped out quietly behind him, already pulling the mask over his face.
Noctis.
Not Rio.
---
They entered the cathedral.
The interior expanded endlessly above them, supported by towering arches that curved like wings. Light poured through the stained glass, painting the marble floors in soft, shifting colors.
Every step echoed.
Soft.
Measured.
Rio found himself instinctively lowering his presence.
Leon didn't.
His pace remained relaxed, hands in his pockets, gaze drifting lazily across the hall.
"…Nothing's changed," he muttered.
Rio glanced at him.
"You've been here before?"
Leon gave a short laugh.
"Yeah."
A pause.
"They wanted me to stay."
Rio understood immediately.
"…High Paladin."
Leon smirked.
"Something like that."
"And you refused."
"Obviously."
No hesitation.
No second thought.
---
They moved deeper into the cathedral.
Eyes followed them.
Subtle.
Measured.
No one spoke—but Leon's presence didn't go unnoticed.
---
Eventually—
They reached the central hall.
A vast open space.
At its center stood a colossal statue of a goddess, her eight wings spread wide behind her, carved with impossible precision. The air felt heavier here, almost reverent without needing to demand it.
And in front of it—
A woman knelt.
The Saintess.
Her long blonde hair flowed down her back like strands of gold. Her white robes shimmered faintly with silver patterns, each thread catching the light in a quiet, elegant way.
Her posture was perfect.
Still.
Composed.
---
"Reina."
A voice echoed through the hall.
Rio turned.
An old man approached from the side.
His steps were slow, controlled—but every step carried weight.
High Pontiff Aurelion Veyr.
The moment his gaze landed on Leon—
It stopped.
Just for a second.
---
Leon noticed.
And grinned.
"…Still alive, huh?"
The words were casual.
Too casual.
A few of the nearby paladins stiffened slightly.
The High Pontiff didn't react outwardly.
But the air—
Shifted.
"Leon."
His voice was calm.
Measured.
But there was something beneath it.
"…I see the guild has sent someone… reliable."
Leon's grin widened just slightly.
"Careful, old man. That almost sounded like a compliment."
Silence.
Brief.
Controlled.
Then—
"It is an observation."
No hostility.
No warmth either.
Just fact.
---
Reina slowly rose to her feet.
Her movements were smooth.
Effortless.
She turned to face them.
Even with her eyes covered—
There was no uncertainty in her direction.
"You've arrived," she said softly.
Her voice carried through the hall with quiet clarity.
Leon shifted his attention to her.
"Yeah."
Still no formalities.
Still no titles.
---
Reina inclined her head slightly.
"Then I will be under your protection for the duration of this visit."
Leon shrugged.
"Stay close, don't wander, and we won't have problems."
Blunt.
Simple.
Unfiltered.
---
Then—
Her head turned slightly.
Toward Rio.
"…And you?"
Rio held her gaze—despite the blindfold.
"Noctis."
A brief pause.
"That's what you can call me."
---
Reina nodded faintly.
"…Understood."
No suspicion.
No probing.
But—
There was a quiet awareness in her presence.
Like she had taken note of something.
Even if she said nothing.
---
Leon stretched slightly.
"So, when are we moving?"
The High Pontiff answered.
"You will depart tomorrow."
Leon clicked his tongue.
"…So we're staying here tonight."
"Yes."
A pause.
"You will be provided quarters."
Leon didn't argue.
But his expression remained the same.
Unbothered.
---
Rio exhaled quietly.
A night inside the Church.
With the Saintess.
And Leon.
---
As they turned to leave—
Rio felt it again.
That faint, uneasy sensation.
Subtle.
Distant.
Watching.
---
And for some reason—
He couldn't tell if it was coming from outside the cathedral.
Or from within it.
---