What was that? Footsteps echoed outside his room. They were soft like the person was wearing socks. Noctis opened his eyes. Sometimes it sucks being such a light sleeper. He looked around. His room was empty and dark. Where's the moon? I can't see a damn thing. He climbed to his feet. At least I know this part of the castle like the back of my hand. He slipped silently up to his door. His shoes sat by the nearby balcony. He didn't have a room with a balcony attached. Instead he went to the room down the hall. There's no one here. I could swear that I heard someone though. What happened? Someone can't just disappear like that. Well, I can so why wouldn't someone else be able to? I've never met someone that can. That's an unsettling thought. Especially since I'm a prince and lots of people would pay good money for my…we're done with that. Noctis shook his head. Let's go outside and see what happened to the moon. There are storms but they usually can't block out the light. It wouldn't be completely dark if there was a storm. There would be lightning or, if it was winter, the lights reflecting off the snow. It's not winter though. He quietly cracked open the door to the room with the balcony. It was empty as it usually was. What's wrong? Why does this feel so off? What happened? A slight breeze toyed with his already messy hair. Where's the light? If the balcony is already open then where's the light? He walked cautiously onto the balcony. "What the?" he stared up at the sky. The moon didn't shine. He could see a black cloud of something rushing towards Lucis. It's faster than a storm. It's too dark for smoke. What is it?

A young woman appeared just below the balcony. She looked up at him and motioned for him to come down.

What? Noctis stared at her. Her face was blurred out. He couldn't tell anything about it. Her silver armor had gold trimming and feathers hung from her left hip. He could feel her gaze and the impatience rolling off her in waves. She put her hand on her hip and glared at him. She beckoned him again. I'm losing my mind. Noctis hopped onto the edge of the balcony. He glanced down. I can make that. It's not that far. He dropped. His landing was smooth and graceful. Noctis rose to his feet and walked up to her.

"That," she pointed to the black cloud rushing towards them, "is the chaos." Her voice was cold and professional. "It has reached here because of the distortions earlier in the timeline. If those distortions are not fixed then this world will fall apart."

Noctis stared at the cloud. It was still in the distance but it was getting closer. He could see it billowing outward, "How long then?"

"You only have a few days. As the chaos advances people will change. The distortions have affected this time. People's memories will change and they will change," she explained, "They may no longer be who you remember them as. Don't trust anyone."

"Who else knows?"

"No one. Only you remember how things should be. That's why I need your help," she nodded to the cloud, "You can't fix it from here."

"How do I fix it then?" Noctis turned to face her.

"Going back in time," she said as though it were simple, "Keep in mind that if you agree to help me you might not come back to this time. While you are gone time will continue to pass here. They will die in this time. You may die in the past. Or you could die in the future. It all depends."

"If I agree to help you it will fix this time?" Noctis asked. He turned back to the black cloud on the horizon.

"Yes. You may not get to see it but it will fix this time," she stood next to him and followed his gaze.

"Then I'll help you," he nodded, turning to face her, "You have my assistance for as long as you need me."

"Thank you," she nodded in appreciation. Her face softened some.

"Who are you?" he asked. I don't even know the name of the person I've agreed to help.

"You'll find out soon enough," she smiled.

He looked at her in confusion, "What?"

"Here," she handed him a stone with crystal interlaced within it.

"A rock?" he asked.

"Yes, it will keep you connected to the crystal within this time. You will need that power," her voice took on a tone of warning, "and you may need it more than I suspect you will."

He looked at her in surprise, "I'll need it?"

"Whatever happens, don't ever lose the rock," she waved her hand in front of them. "I will not be able to offer you much help. This is the best I can do for now," she turned to him. "Walk into it," she pointed to the portal she had opened in front of them.

"Okay?" Noctis cocked his head to the side. I have completely lost it. If I die on the way to wherever I'm going I'm not going to be happy.

An explosion sounded nearby, pulling him out of his thoughts.

"Go," she ordered.

"But," Noctis stared at the chaos unraveling before him.

"Now, if you fix the timeline then this will never happen," she glared at him. "I will do my best to protect those I can. The rest is up to you. If you can fix the timeline then this will never happen."

But I can't leave my friends here. Noctis stared at her.

"I can't hold the portal open forever," she snarled, "you told me you would help me for as long as I needed you. Go!"

He nodded and turned back to the portal. He took a deep breath.

The wall of the castle exploded beside him.

He ducked but was still knocked into the opposite wall from the force of the blast. He slid to the ground. Ouch. That hurt.

"Noct!" Ignis called.

Noctis glared at him, "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Go help out front."

"But—"

"Now!" Noctis snapped.

Ignis glared at him, "Fine but if we live through this you better prepare for one hell of a lecture."

"Fine, just go." Noctis followed his friend with his gaze. Sorry Ignis but the lecture's gonna have to wait. Another explosion sent metal flying across the courtyard. Dammit! Noctis covered his face with his arms. I haven't even gone anywhere and I'm already all sorts of beat up. The portal was shrinking. Uh-oh. He darted towards it. Noctis barely managed to make it through before it closed with a little help from an explosion that knocked him unconscious.