The Double-Edged Blade of the ex-Emperor
— Chapter 2 —
FIC INFORMATION
Rating: Mature
Archive Warning: Underage
Category: M/M/M
Fandom: Final Fantasy XII
Relationship: Gabranth | Noah fon Ronsenburg/Larsa Ferrinas Solidor/Vayne Carudas Solidor
Character: Gabranth | Noah fon Ronsenburg, Larsa Ferrinas Solidor, Vayne Carudas Solidor
Additional Tags: Implied Sibling Incest, Post-Game, Disabled Vayne, Magazine Spread w/ Images, In-Universe Photos
Language: English
Collections: Unconventional Fanwork Exchange 2022
Published: 24/06/2022
Words: 1,004
Chapters: 2/2
We take a look at the Lord Vayne's closest relationships and speak with the man himself in this incisive interview. Don't miss it!Notes
For triangloidChapters
I had an absolute blast making this, so I hope you enjoy it! <3
See the end of the work for more notes
→ Chapter 1: Full image
→ Chapter 2: [current chapter] Transcript for the page in chapter 1.
The Double-Edged Blade of the ex-Emperor
It has been bandied about that the ex-Emperor Vayne Carudas Solidor is a man knowing neither mercy nor compassion. His hands stained red by the blood of his brothers from the tender age of sixteen, the public could be forgiven for this assumption. After all, it takes a certain kind of man to commit fratricide, and Vayne himself seemed happy enough to take on this mantle - or so it was said.
However, all it takes is a closer look at his closest relationships, and we begin to see a different picture emerge: one of a now-broken man, rebuilding himself from quite literally the bottom up. Though he walks now with a cane and his handsome face is marred by the shadows of scars, Vayne still commands the attention of whatever room he may find himself in, and this one is no exception.
The day is sombre, but the hint of sunshine pouring through the coloured glass of Archadean windows dances over Vayne's face and hair, painting his classical features with a riot of shades that only serve to draw attention to the gloss of his hair, still kept long, and the sharpness of his gaze, whisper-bright in its focus.
Why did you do it? My first question, of course, and the question that has been on the lips of Archadean and foreigners alike since the explosions on the Bahamut.
His voice, when he replies, is soft, velvet-covered steel. 'Too long had man been guided by creatures not of this world. I will not go into too much esoteric detail, but needless to say it was time for a change.'
Time for a change, that seems to be the common party line from all who had even a glancing involvement.
'The reins of history, back in the hands of man. That's what our Doctor Cid used to say, and he was right. No longer must we look over our shoulders, worrying about the whims of otherworldly beings.'
You must realise how this comes across to the general public, no? It is no secret that Doctor Cid (the eccentric Doctor Cidolfus Demen Bunansa, once-head of Draklor Laboratory) was known for his unique outlook and methods.
Vayne waves an airy hand. 'That no longer concerns me.'
Indeed. No longer under the heavy mantle of empire, the Lord Vayne now spends his time on other pursuits, although rumour is that much of his time is spent convalescing even now, scant years after the Bahamut fell. What truly happened, there?
His eyes narrow, but he smiles the smile of a politician well used to answering this sort of question. 'What do you think happened?'
An explosion, by all accounts, and the skyship plummeted just outside of Dalamasca. There is very little else known, even by the most intrepid of journalists.
'Indeed, an explosion. Let us say...' He pauses, eyes going distant. 'Let us say I did what had to be done. No more and no less.' He holds up his hand and the long sleeve falls back, revealing rows of twisted scars roping his wrists and forearm. 'And I have the trophies to prove it.'
No one has seen the lord Vayne out of anything but full length clothes since the Bahamut, and I know not whether anyone ever will, save for those two who keep his closest confidence: the now-Emperor His Excellency Larsa Ferrinas Solidor, and his most loyal protector, the Judge Magister Gabranth.
Of course, rumour on the street says that those relationships go perhaps deeper than any of the men involved would admit, but when I make mention of such, Vayne simply smiles, showing a hint of sharp tooth.
'You would like that, I imagine. Tar the new Emperor with the taint of his older brother, hm? Well, I shall not give you the satisfaction.'
And that was that. Sleeve back in place as though his arm had never been bared, Vayne stood - with the aid of his elegant cane of course - and made gesture towards the door. Before he could say a word, the clank of heavy steel boots filled my ears, and the looming figure of Judge Gabranth himself was at my side.
Any last words, my lord Vayne?
'Pick a fluff piece next time. Hard-hitting journalism doesn't suit you.' And he turned to the window, his back to me and interview most definitely over.
- - -
In the Words of Those Closest
Judge Magister Gabranth, never seen without his helmet, in public at least, but last seen walking with the Lord Vayne and our esteemed Emperor, His Excellency Larsa.
'He does not need your kind hounding him.' The words are stern, but impassioned. 'Leave the Lord Vayne to his convalescence, and, while you are there, remove any thoughts of slander from your tongue. He did what was necessary, and I will hear not a single word against it.'
By some accounts, Gabranth and Vayne did not get on, prior to the Bahamut falling. Is there more to this tale than a loyal hound putting on a show of teeth? Perhaps the gauntleted hand in the small of lord Vayne's back tells another story.
- - -
His Excellency the Emperor Larsa Ferrinas Solidor, oft seen out and about with his brother and the Judge Magister Gabranth, and much beloved of his people, despite his tender years.
'You wish to speak about my Lord brother, no?' His Excellency smiles, love for his brother shining through. 'There is naught really to tell. He gave up much for Ivalice, and to protect me, and the evidence of that is writ plain upon his very flesh.' He leans in a little closer, flashing a grin so similar to the lord Vayne's that it is like looking at a mirror of the man. 'Of course, getting my lord brother to rest is a whole job in itself. He is ever intent on his atonement, but thankfully I have ever had my ways of persuasion.' He winks, then, our Emperor, and his eyes dance with laughter and love.
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AFTERWORD
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