A Gift from the Gods
It was told that the King of Light would arise and purge the blight from our star. Giving his own life in the process. What if the sacrifice didn't have to be made by the King himself? What if the Gods felt pity on the King and sent someone to take his place and protect him on his journey? How would things turn out for the King, the Oracle and the Immoral Accused when a stranger arrives in Insomnia.
Chapter 1: Birth of the True King
In the early hours of the morning, in the city of Insomnia, Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum was born to the benevolent King Regis Lucis Caelum CXIII and to his beautiful wife Queen Aulea. The news quickly spread through the morning and many in Insomnia and the Kingdom of Lucis rejoiced, as the future of Lucis had been born. Celebration were held to honour the new born prince, wine was tossed, festivals, caravels, concerts were held, with some lasted up to a week. Even a Royal monument was made to dedicate the little Prince, welcoming him into the world of Eos. Likewise, millions upon millions of fireworks were set off in very city across Lucis on the evening of his birth. Along with such grand displays of love and honour, presents and gifts were shipped to the King and Queen to honour the new addition to their newly growing family. Kingdom's such as Accordo and Tenebrae sent their blessings to the Royal family. This was a step towards the future of the Grand Kingdom of Lucis and the hopes of the people began to rise. For the event made them forget, if only for a week, the growing threat that Niflheim.
However, all was not grand though.
But the threat wasn't coming from Niflheim, instead it came from within the walls Lucis. The Crown City presented a darker and more sinister worry then Niflheim ever could. The Crystal. The shining, beautiful, radiant light of the Crystal, that had protected Insomnia from Niflheim's forces, was starting to fade.
No one had notice it. Everyone in the Kingdom were too caught up in their emotions of the Prince's birth, that no one saw the light of the Crystal begin to fade. Not even the great King Regis could sense the light and the power of King's dim when his son was born. To overcome with pride and love for his only child, he did not sense the danger that it gave.
It was only when the celebration began to die down did he see it. Only then did it click that something wasn't right.
Yet, the connection had still not been made. Noctis' birth was too important for him to see the full extent of the damage. For his wife happiness had clouded his judgement. Before Noctis' birth, the King and Queen had tried and tried to conceive a child and more importantly an heir to the throne, but they had no result. The Queen was told 5 mouths prior Noctis' conception that she could not bear any children. Crushing all hope of the great dynasty to continue.
Meaning that, Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum, was the King's and Queen's miracle. For a moment in their lives, the rest of the world could wait. For he was the most important thing in the entire world to the pair.
As the mouths went by the radiant light of the Crystal began to fade, not notice by any apart from the King. Although, he still didn't realise the connection between his son or crystal's light. The days were starting to get darker and the air started to get colder. Yet, King Regis's was still not making a solid connection.
The Crystal's light fading troubled him, as he could feel that the wall he had made from the Crystal was slowly draining him as well. Although he knew that this would happen. The Crystal had to be protected by King, but in turn it shorted his life. It didn't bother him as much as it used to, well no were near the level of concern he saw towards the light fading.
Only when the Queen died, 2 years later, did something click with in his brain. He didn't know if it was grief or the unconditional love that he has for Noctis, but he knew the Crystal and Noctis were connected. Other than his blood and his duty as the future King to protect it.
There was something else. Something darker and much more sinister. He couldn't think what it was, but as the night started to darken along with the Crystal's light, Regis began to fear for his son's safety and what role he had with in the world.
Finally, when Noctis turned three years old, the man appeared.
He had been invited to a ball, like everyone else in the Kingdom to celebrate the Prince's birthday. Unlike the rest who left when it was time to go. He stayed. Hidden with in the shadows of the great the Citadel, the man lurked so that he didn't attract the wrong kind of attention. He was merely a shadow forced to hide in case a Glaive or a member of the Crown's guard spotted him. He had a mission and he would keep to his word.
Once the Citadel and fallen silent and only footsteps of the Crown's Guard was heard did he make his move. The man wore all black and glided his way through the Citadel so that he could reach the room. The room of the Crystal.
He had not been caught hence far and was very tactical in getting passed the guards. Until he saw sight of the entrance of the Crystal. One-way in. One-way out. With about 10 guards manning the entrance it was going to be difficult to get in there. The stranger then reached into his trouser pocket, bringing out a sack that had a dust like substance with in. He got out a hand full and blow it in the direction of the guards.
Not long later did all the guards fall to the ground fast asleep. The stranger breathed out deeply and quickly made his way into the room. For the dust was only meant to sedate the inflicted for no longer than 10 minutes. He could not be caught, he had a job to do. Closing the door he looked at the Crystal. The purple, blue and white haze lit up the room almost like a firework display. It made the figure look like a shadow as he was covered from head to toe in black and concealed his face with a black scarf only revealing his golden eyes. He cleared his throat and walked up to the Crystal.
He felt this warm feeling come over him. Like he was being welcomed home after a long journey. The might of the Crystal before him was nearly too much to comprehend as he allowed himself to fall to his knees in relief. He closed his eyes and allowed the might of the Crystal to over well him.
Just as sudden as the moment came it was snatch away from him. The doors to the Crystal's chamber opened and he was forced to stay on his knees. He knew that no one was allowed to enter this room, but the King. He knew for a fact that King Regis was standing behind him. The man then heard the sound, of the King's magic fill the air and sound of metal clashing together as the King got out his Armiger. He was protecting the Crystal like all the King's had done before him. Yet, the stranger was not here to harm the Crystal, no he was here to speak to the King.
"Your, Majesty." The stranger said not turning around, eyes still fixed on the beauty of the stone before him. "I come with no ill-intention I swear. I just wish to have an audience with you, your grace."
The weapons were not put away but they were lowered. No matter how important protecting the Crystal was, Regis was kind man with a gentle heart. Truly he would like to believe the man he saw with his back turn to him. The Six would not allow it though. He had to protect the Crystal even if it costs his own life. The stranger then stood up and faced the King. He bowed in respect to his Majesty. Eyes fixed on the King.
"Why come to the Crystal then? Why not wait until the morn? Like every other citizen that begs and audience with me." Regis' spoke with wisdom and caution. He would not be made a fool of. Yes, he loved his citizens, however he could not stand there and justify anyone breaking into his Citadel and getting into the Crystal's chamber. No one had done ever done this to his knowledge before and he would have liked it to remain that way.
"Because my liege, I wished to speak to you in private. This is not a matter for preying ears to hear nor eyes to gaze upon. It is a matter of which concerns your son, and the Crystal."
This took Regis' be surprise. No one knew that the Crystal's light was beginning to fade. Making it sure of certain that the stranger knew about Noctis' birth and the affected it had had on the Crystal.
"How are you aware of such details?"
"The Six. They blessed me with a second life, and knowledge, so that I could warn you about prophecy of old. The tale of the True King, the one who will bring back the dawn, when the light expires, and daemons come. When all is lost, the King and Crystal shall make the sacrifice and all that is lost shall return again to Eos."
Regis' fell silent. He fully understood the prophecy. He knew that one day the Crystal would fall and the True King, the King of Light would arise and save Eos from it's dark fate. This was common knowledge to all King's when it was there turn to seat the throne. But the stranger, or messenger as he was claiming to be knew it as well. This troubled him slightly. Not because he knew but how it involved his son
"You may be a messenger. You may be a liar. But none has ever entre these walls before, unless they are the King. So, tell me. How does the prophecy relate to Noctis?"
Then came the word's no father wanted or ever should hear.
"He is the one who will bring back the Dawn. To fight the Daemons and save Eos from her fate. He is the True King. The King of Light." The stranger said with sadness in his voice as he looked at Regis. The King's face turned to anger, then to sorrow as he knew his son's fate was sealed. He would have to die and suffer so much. This wasn't fair, why couldn't he take his son's place. The King stood still not responding to the statement. So, the stranger spoke again.
"Yet, my King it doesn't have to be that way." Regis' head snapped up and glared into the man's eyes. The stranger saw hope in the King's eyes and he smiled under the scarf that was wrapped around his head. "The Six, they understand that allowing a child of Eos to take on a task that was no fault of his, is nothing but cruel. They send me, as his replacement. The life that is to be sacrificed when the accused is dead, and the long night is at it's end. Yes, he will bring back the Dawn, he will save Eos and all her greatness, but he does not need to be killed for the selfishness and mistakes of another."
Small year's fell from Regis' eyes as the stranger spoke. His voice sounder similar but he could not register to whom it belonged. That did not matter, but he could tell that the man had been blessed by the Six and he needed to trust in him. For the Light of Crystal shown brighter than it did yesterday. Was it because of this man. It had to be. There were too many coincidences for it not to be related. But one questions was place on his mind. One that the King could not shake.
"Who are you? You said this is your second life? Why do you intend to take my son's place, when a second life is yours to live?" The question was simple enough, but one Regis' thought he would not get a direct answer to. He wanted to know the one who had come to take his son's place.
"Your Majesty, I am but a humble servant to the Throne. A man sent by the God's to lead the True King down the path to his destiny. I will protect the Prince and see him through his journey until he is King. Until the time is right, I will be a shadow watching in the darkness and defending the Prince until the light is ready to appear, and the accused is dead. To take on the sacrifice that is not meant for the innocent. Am I not one of innocence. That my King, is all I can tell you." The stranger said with such mystery. But one the King would have to accept. He could not will the God's to do anything, for he was their puppet, no their master. Regis nodded and walked towards the stranger. The King came to a halt when he was about 3 meters away from him.
"A name then." Regis demanded. Not in a harsh tone but one of gratitude and curiosity.
"Again, My King. I cannot divulge to you my name. I am not of this time. I should not meddle in the affairs of another."
"Well then… we can't have that. I can hardly call you messenger. Make up a name for yourself and we can fully discuss the part we must play to ensure my son's safety."
The stranger thought for a moment. Names were dangerous things. If you said the wrong name in certain place it could mean your life. But equally it could spear it, if the name you used was the right one. He could not go by this first allies. That was made clear by the Gods. He thought for a moment. Then it occurred to him. He smiled under his scarf and nodded to the King.
"Isaac, My King. Isaac Aubrey."