chapter 1: the capital

The road stretched endlessly before us, winding through landscapes that felt plucked from a dream. Alaria walked close by my side, her arm occasionally brushing against mine. Her presence, ever confident and mischievous, had grown more… touchy. She often leaned in to point out a distant landmark or whispered in my ear about some fantastical tale she claimed to have heard, her voice laced with flirtation. It was as if the open road emboldened her in ways that the academy walls had restrained. The scenery shifted with every passing day. At one point, we found ourselves on the edge of an ancient forest, its towering trees reaching toward the heavens. The trunks were wide enough to house entire families, their bark gnarled with age and wisdom. Vines heavy with golden flowers cascaded from the branches, filling the air with a sweet, heady scent. Alaria plucked a flower, tucking it behind her ear as she grinned at me. "What do you think? Does it suit me?" she asked, striking a playful pose. I rolled my eyes, muttering something about her vanity, though I couldn't help but notice how the golden hue complemented her emerald eyes. We passed shimmering lakes where the water was so clear it mirrored the sky perfectly. Fish with scales like liquid silver darted beneath the surface, their movements hypnotic. In the distance, mountains loomed, their peaks dusted with snow that sparkled under the sunlight. Small villages dotted the valleys, their thatched-roof cottages surrounded by fields of vibrant wildflowers. Children ran barefoot through the meadows, their laughter carried on the breeze.

Alaria often found excuses to linger. She'd point out the way the sun painted the sky during sunset or urge me to stop at roadside markets filled with oddities. One such market had stalls selling trinkets made of crystal, glowing faintly in the twilight. Another featured exotic fruits that shimmered as if dusted with starlight. "We should try this," she insisted, holding up a peculiar fruit with a deep indigo skin. It tasted like a mix of honey and citrus, leaving a warmth in my chest long after swallowing. Months of wandering brought us to the gates of Myra, the capital city of the continent. Its walls were colossal, carved from ivory stone that seemed to glow faintly in the sunlight. Intricate carvings of mythical beasts and legendary heroes adorned the gates, a testament to the city's storied past. The guards stationed there were clad in polished armor, their visors etched with the crest of Myra—a phoenix rising from flames.

"Halt," one of them commanded as we approached. "Identification, please."

I reached into my bag, pulling out my academy ID. Alaria handed hers over as well, flashing one of her disarming smiles. "Just two travelers looking to experience the wonders of your great city," she said, her voice honeyed. The guard inspected our IDs before nodding and stepping aside. "Welcome to Myra. Stay out of trouble."

As we stepped through the gates, the city unfolded before us like a living tapestry. The streets were paved with smooth cobblestones that gleamed underfoot, and every corner bustled with life. Houses of every shape and size lined the streets, their architecture a blend of the old and new. Some were made of pristine marble, their facades adorned with colorful mosaics depicting scenes of heroism and prosperity. Others were quaint stone cottages with ivy climbing their walls, their windowsills overflowing with vibrant flowers. The marketplace was a riot of color and sound. Stalls overflowed with goods—silks from distant lands, spices that filled the air with tantalizing aromas, and gems that caught the sunlight like prisms. Street performers played melodies on strange instruments, their tunes weaving through the chatter of merchants and buyers.

Alaria twirled in place, her excitement palpable. "Isn't this just perfect? Look at all of it!" She grabbed my hand, pulling me toward a stall selling jewelry. "Do you think this suits me?" she asked, holding up a delicate silver necklace adorned with a sapphire. I sighed. "We just got here, Alaria. Shouldn't we find a place to stay first?"

She smirked, her fingers brushing against mine as she handed the necklace back to the merchant. "Fine, but I'm holding you to that later." As we wandered deeper into the city, I couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and trepidation. Myra was beautiful, yes, but it was also overwhelming. The sheer scale of it, the density of people, and the layers of history etched into its streets—all of it was a stark reminder of how far we'd come from the simplicity of the academy. Veylara's presence lingered in the back of my mind, silent but watchful. I could almost feel her approval as my gaze swept over the grandeur of Myra. Whatever lay ahead, this city was just the beginning.

As we made our way through the bustling streets of Myra, Alaria's behavior shifted even further. She stuck close—closer than necessary—her arm often brushing mine or her fingers casually grazing my wrist as she gestured animatedly toward the sights around us. Her emerald eyes sparkled with excitement, and her energy seemed to draw the attention of passersby, though she didn't seem to care. "Look at that!" she exclaimed, pointing toward a street performer juggling flaming batons. Without waiting for a response, she grabbed my arm and pulled me into the growing crowd. Her fingers lingered on my sleeve, and when the juggler threw the batons into a dazzling spin, she leaned into me, her breath warm against my ear. "Think I could pull that off?" I glanced down at her, trying to ignore how close she was. "You? With fire? That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen." She laughed, a rich, carefree sound, and nudged me lightly with her shoulder. "You wound me, Noctis. I'll have you know I'm full of untapped talents."

I sighed but couldn't keep the smile off my face. "Sure you are." We moved on, her hand now resting lightly on my forearm as we passed a series of shops. Alaria's eyes darted from one window display to another, her enthusiasm as boundless as ever. One boutique caught her attention, its window filled with elegant gowns in every shade imaginable. She pulled me toward it, her grip on my arm firm. "Let's go in," she said, already halfway through the door.

I hesitated. "Why? You're not buying anything." She shot me a playful smirk. "Maybe not, but I want to try something on. Come on, it'll be fun." Before I could protest, she dragged me inside. The shopkeeper greeted us warmly, though her gaze flickered with mild surprise when Alaria looped her arm through mine. "We're just browsing," Alaria said, grinning, and steered me toward a rack of gowns. She sifted through them quickly, holding up a deep emerald dress against herself. "What do you think?" she asked, tilting her head and studying my expression. "Be honest."

"It's… fine, I guess?" I offered awkwardly, unsure of what else to say.

"Fine?" she repeated, feigning insult. "You're terrible at compliments, you know that?" She laughed and leaned in, her lips just brushing the edge of my jaw. "I'll just have to work harder to impress you." I stepped back, my pulse quickening. "Don't you think you're being a little—"

"Bold?" she finished, smirking as she replaced the dress on the rack. "You'll get used to it." Once we were back on the street, she looped her arm through mine again, ignoring my protests. "Relax, Noctis," she said, her tone playful but edged with something more. "We're partners now, aren't we? We should act like it."

"We're not—" I began, but she cut me off.

"You know what I mean." She tightened her grip on my arm and leaned her head on my shoulder, ignoring the curious glances of passersby. "Besides, it's not like I'm dragging you to some boring tea party. We're exploring the greatest city on the continent. Enjoy it!" As we walked, her hand slipped down to my wrist, her fingers brushing mine with an almost deliberate slowness. Every touch, every glance from her felt calculated, but there was a genuine warmth in her excitement that made it hard to pull away. Even as I tried to focus on the grand spires of Myra's temples or the cascading fountains in the central square, Alaria was an undeniable presence by my side, her laughter and teasing filling the air. By the time we reached the main market, I was equal parts frustrated and resigned. Alaria, of course, was completely unfazed, her attention darting from one stall to the next. She picked up a small silver bracelet from a vendor and slipped it onto her wrist before holding her hand out to me. "What do you think?" she asked, her voice softer now, almost tentative. "It suits me, right?"

I nodded, trying to ignore the way her gaze lingered on mine. "Yeah. It does." For a moment, the playfulness in her expression faltered, replaced by something deeper. But then, just as quickly, her grin returned, and she slipped the bracelet back onto the stall. "Good taste, as always," she said, linking her arm with mine once more. As we continued through the city, her flirtations only grew bolder, and despite myself, I found it harder and harder to brush them off. Whether it was the city's magic or Alaria's unrelenting charm, one thing was clear: this journey was going to be far from ordinary.