~(Y/n)'s POV~

Traveling through the Duscae region was always breathtaking. Watching the countless of creatures graze the beautiful wetlands was always a breath of fresh air compared to Insomnia. While I sat in the middle between Noctis and Gladio, my eyes bounced all around. A small chuckle escaped the bodyguard next to me. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye and saw him smirking at me.

"You're havin' fun, (Y/n)," he said, his smirk growing wider. I roll my eyes and stuck my tongue out at him. "This is my first time in the Duscae region. I know it's mostly wetlands, but it's so different than Leide. The air is clean and only silence surrounds us. It's peaceful."

Gladio slung an arm around my shoulder and messed with my (h/c) hair, trailing his fingers through the strands. "Just don't get too carried away. Wouldn't want ya wandering off when we stop."

I pout and tugged on his hair gently. "I am not a child, Gladio." His smirk changes into a smile as he leans in closer. His warm lips land on my cheek, making them ignite with a red hue. Trying to hide my embarrassment, I sigh and bury my face in my hands.

"Imperials!" Prompto suddenly shouts. Ignis slams on the brakes, causing everyone to fly forward in their seats. "Damn Empire. They have the worst timing," Gladio grumbled, exiting the car. I followed suit and stood next to him as the soldiers and Magiteks jumped from the airship.
After the troops landed, another person jumped from the ship above.

"Ravus..." Noctis growls under his breath, glaring daggers at the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army. Ravus' heterochromia eyes glared at all of us in return. He raised his blade and pointed it in my direction. "I am here for one purpose and one purpose only. The one you call (Y/n) must be slain. Her presence hinders Niflheim's success in this war."

"Nice to meet you, too," I sarcastically groan. Summoning my bow, I shot a Magitek that was closing in on Ignis. He thanks me and everyone calls upon their weapons. Gladio was glued to my side as the battle continued.

One Magitek had managed to break me away from Gladio and explode. The smoke from the explosion obscured my vision and caused me to cough. I also closed my eyes as the smoke began to irritate them. While I couldn't see, I heard painful grunts from the guys. With a small wind spell, I cleared the smoke only to be greeted by a terrible sight. All four of them had been surrounded and had swords and axes pointed at them.

Knowing I couldn't make a move without them being hurt, I dispel my bow. With a glare, I turned to face Ravus. He took a few steps towards me until the former prince was only a few centimeters away. My glare sharpens as he sheaths his blade. "Now, no one will stand in my way."

~3rd Person POV~

The four watched Ravus as he approached (Y/n). Gladio tried to break free from the Magiteks, but he was soon pinned down by one of the machines. Prompto aimed his pistol at Ravus, but it was knocked out of his hand by the Magitek standing beside him.

"Now, no one will stand in my way." Ravus' deep voice cuts through the air as he lunged at (Y/n) and wrapped a hand around her throat. She gasped in pain as he lifted her off the ground with ease. "Bastard, let her go!" Noctis shouts, trying to free him and his friends. Gladio grits his teeth in anger as he struggles against the Magitek holding him down. His struggle to free himself became more desperate as he saw (Y/n) beginning to claw at Ravus' hand that was choking her.

"Why do you have to kill her?!" Prompto shouts. Ravus ignored the blonde's desperate cries and tightens his hold on the struggling girl's throat. She tried to fight back, but Ravus wouldn't loosen his grip. A grin spreads across his face as he sees her eyes beginning to slowly close from the lack of oxygen. The small gasps of pain began to decrease as her arms rested on top of his hand. With one last clench, a loud crack was heard.

All eyes widened at the deafening sound. Their eyes traveled to (Y/n) just in time to see her hands fall limply to her side. "(Y-Y/n)?" Prompto called the girl's name gently. A faint chuckle escaped Ravus as he tossed her body aside like garbage. Gladio watched her limp form land in front of them. Able to break free, Gladio stormed over to (Y/n). He slowly brought her body close to his, her lifeless (e/c) eyes burning into his mind.

"We're done here," Ravus announces, summoning the Magiteks to his side. Once free, everyone ran over to Gladio's slumped form. Ignis immediately checked for a pulse on the pale girl's neck, but he had no luck. "W-what was that cracking noise earlier?" Prompto asked in a shaky voice. Before Ignis answered the dismal blonde, he lifted her neck and was able to confirm his fear. Ignis couldn't look at anyone as he spoke. "The sound was... of her neck snapping."

No one could believe it. The girl that was smiling minutes ago was now gone. Her lifeless body laid in her lover's arms as they mourned over her.

Noctis wiped a few stray tears away and was taken over by rage. He snapped towards Ravus and summoned his javelin. The prince warped and began attacking the Supreme Commander. "You bastard!" He shouts, anger behind every attack. "Noct!" Prompto yells, joining his best friend.

"Gladio," Ignis called the bodyguard's name. His grip on (Y/n)'s body tightened as he knew why Ignis was trying to get his attention. "I'm right behind you." His melancholy expression was engulfed with pure rage. Before joining the fight, Gladio closed (Y/n)'s eyes and gave her a kiss on the forehead. Her body laid on the ground as he summoned his broadsword.

Ignis by his side, they join their friends. Noctis and Gladio handled Ravus while Ignis and Prompto handled the Magiteks. Once the machines were gone, Ignis and Prompto switched their attention to Ravus. The four had pushed the former prince back and he was forced to stay on the defensive.

"Why..." Noctis growled with gritted teeth.

"It seems she hadn't shared what her true nature was. Such a pity," Ravus replied. Gladio was the next to snap at him. "She had nothing to do with the war. She was innocent!"

"That is where you're wrong," he states. Confused at what he meant, Ravus took the advantage and began to attack. "Like you know the real (Y/n)!" Prompto shouts, firing a few rounds at him. Ravus easily blocks the bullets with his blade. "It's impossible for me to show you. After all, the girl with all the secrets is dead. Now... she will no longer be an obstacle." Gladio couldn't hold in his emotions anymore and attacked with all he had. When their blades clashed, they heard a voice.

"How foolish of you, Ravus."

Their attention snapped in the direction of the voice. Once they saw who it was, no one could believe it; not even Ravus. Everyone watched as the once dead (Y/n) slowly got to her feet. "How?" Ignis questions.

"Not possible!" Ravus shouts. (Y/n) just grins and was enveloped in a brilliant beam of light. When the light died down, a Phoenix with vibrant red, yellow, and orange feathers stood where (Y/n) once was.

While they were frozen in their tracks, (Y/n) flew forward and attacked Ravus. The heat resonating from her body made everyone more exhausted, even Ravus was struggling. Her powerful blows sent Ravus back a few yards. His body crashed to the ground and he struggled to get up. While he was down, (Y/n) flew over and pinned his body to the ground with her sharp talons.

"We must stop her," Ignis said, directing his attention to Gladio.

"Why should we?" Noctis fired back with disdain. Ignis sent a glare towards the prince for asking such a question. "If Niflheim learns their Supreme Commander was killed, they would send more soldiers to terminate us. More worse, they would target (Y/n)."

"Like hell I'm letting that happen," Gladio said.

"But, how are we supposed to stop her?" Prompto puzzled. All eyes then turned to the bodyguard. He knew what he had to do and approached the enraged Phoenix. When he saw her lunge forward to finish off Ravus, he yelled her name. The Phoenix snapped her head in his direction, her beautiful golden eyes trained on him. Gladio didn't say a word as he reached out a hand towards her. When he did gesture to her, he saw the rage in her eyes and stature be released. (Y/n) freed Ravus and began to slowly make her way over to Gladio.

Once close enough, (Y/n) bowed her head down to Gladio's height. A smile broke across his face as he placed a gentle hand on her head. His fingers trailed through her feathers and he watched as her eyes slowly closed in shear bliss. Gladio removes his hand when a familiar blinding light forced him to cover his eyes. When he opened his eyes, (Y/n) stood before him with a beautiful smile on her face. With no hesitation, he immediately pulled her into his arms. Her body crashed against his chest as his whole stature consumed her smaller one.

Her small hands rested on his back as his arms tightened around her. Gladio buried his head in the crook of her neck, earning a small gasp from (Y/n). One of his hands unconsciously found its way to her (h/c) hair. He ran his hand through her soft locks, letting the strands flow between his fingers.

Their happy moment was cut short when Ravus began to stumble over to them. Gladio immediately saw this and pulled (Y/n) behind him. "How..." he growled, glaring sharply at (Y/n). She stepped from behind Gladio's protective stance and glared back. "A mortal cannot kill an immortal. I want to know... who told you about me?"

Ravus just furrows his brow and whistles. More Magiteks surrounded and took him to the airship. When (Y/n) tried to chase after them, Gladio immediately held her back. They watched as Ravus and his remaining Magiteks took off into the evening sky. (Y/n) sighed and slumped her shoulders. "I think I know who did leak my secret..."

Finally absorbing what she had said to Ravus, Gladio turns to face her. "Hold on, you're immortal?" (Y/n) nods and crosses her arms. "I'm... not human. As you saw, I am a Phoenix, the guardian of the skies and the bird born from pure flames. Phoenixes are immortal beasts that are known to be aggressive towards humans and other creatures. I may not look like it, but I did despise humans before I met you and the others. I'm glad I was proven wrong."

Gladio smiled as her own began to widen. He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss. Her hands traced over his toned stomach while his cupped her cheeks. The two were unaware of the smirking trio that stood not far from them. When they had to break for air, their eyes traveled to the others. (Y/n) sighs and rests her head on Gladio's chest. "There gonna have tons of questions..." He chuckled and twirled a strand of her hair around his finger.

"I'll keep Prom and Noct off your back. Not sure how well I can hold off Iggy."

(Y/n) snorts from laughing and glanced up at the tall man. "Ignis is a perfect gentlemen. He knows when he oversteps the boundary of questioning."

"Those two could learn tons from him."

"Oh, definitely."