The last thing I need is inspiration for a new fanfic. BUT I'm motivated, so hheeerrrreeee we go.

There are several dungeons mentioned in this fic, and I'm taking some liberties with them. I read the fan theory about Pitioss, and I like it, but I'm also going to embellish some ideas of my own.

Also, I watched Episode Ignis, and HOLY— I had to rewrite sections of the fic. Sorry for any spoilers.

—

The knife that sunk into Luna's side caused Noctis physical pain. His eyes were wide in horror as Ardyn withdrew the blade. He fought to stand as he watched Luna bless the man, only to be slapped across the face.

"Oh Prince! You're bride awaits!" The devil called.

Noctis summoned his Engine Blade as Ardyn began to leave, flung his blade out, and caught the man between the shoulder blades with a warp strike.

Ardyn doubled over as Noctis scrambled over to Luna and took her in his arms, supporting her on her feet. "Luna…"

"Noctis…" She held on weakly. "Don't worry about me. You have to finish the covenant with the Hydraean."

He shook his head. "I can't leave you. I understand I have to do this, but it means nothing…if I can't be with you."

"Please Noctis…" She begged, "I'll be here when you return."

"You promise?" He held up his pinky, like they had when they were children.

She smiled, "I promise," and hooked her pinky with his.

"How sweet." Ardyn appeared behind them, holding Noctis' blade in hand. He tossed it to his feet. "You'll have to do better than that if you want me to die."

"How did you—" Noctis couldn't even finish his sentence. He had clearly impaled the man, but here he stood without problem.

"You see, that's the thing about being immortal." Ardyn smiled. "That means I can't die." Then he gave a more serious look. "But it appears your darling dear can."

Luna held more tightly to Noctis' clothes in an effort not to fall.

"Stay back!" Noctis barked, spitting venom.

"Oh, such a fight in you! How exciting." He turned to leave, displaying a hole in the back of his jacket. "I've done all I can here. But we'll meet again. Rather soon I hope." He waved. "Ta-ta!"

The prince wanted to fight, but found his strength failing as he sank to the ground, Luna following suit.

"Tiny little mortals, what can a tiny babe know of love?" Leviathan taunted, reminding them the battle wasn't over yet.

"Go," she urged, reaching for her trident. "I will help you."

He was unable to answer as he fell forward, bracing himself on his hands. He was so tired…

Luna held up the trident, a yellow light encompassing it.

A warmth, like a lovers embrace, took Noctis in a blinding brightness. He raised into the air as the trident left Luna's hands and she collapsed to the ground. Noctis floated before his foe, the armiger floating around him threateningly.

"You have proven yourself to be strong, O King. But physical strength alone cannot persuade me." Leviathan screamed.

Noctis shouted in return and warped into his attack. Each blow hit it's mark, numbing his hands and causing Leviathan to shriek. Finally, he took hold of Luna's trident and pierced the hide of the serpent, ripping all the way down the chest. This was his last blow, and the residual energy set him down gently beside Luna.

The Oracle scooted across the ground, pulling herself to sit beside him, scooping him up in her arms.

"I did it." He whispered.

"Yes, you did." She responded, resting her forehead on his. "Blessed stars of life and light…"

The Hydraean let out a shriek as water continued to spray the city. Luna curled around his head, trying to protect him from the onslaught of waves. His hand reached out and wrapped around her back, gently touching her skin.

In front of them, a large black figure rose up from the sea.

Exhausted, Luna felt herself slipping, and laid on the ground, with Noctis still in her arms.

His deep blue eyes opened, just barely able to look at her. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm so weak…"

"As am I…" she said quietly. Her words were barely audible over the roar of the waves and the trembling earth. "A chance to see you once more…who would have thought?"

"Why wouldn't you see me again?" He asked, his brow crinkling.

"Because…my prayers have been answered. My calling fulfilled…"

"But…that doesn't have to come between us."

Her smile was heart-breaking. "You are the one Noctis. The stars shine for you now. That which was yours by right, will be fulfilled to you."

She slipped her hand in his, knotting their fingers together. Then together, they closed their eyes.

The waiting landscape was a void, only dotted with sylleblossoms. Two children stood among them, looks of longing on both faces.

"Do you remember the flowers of Tenebrae? It seems so long ago." Luna's voice was clear as a bell. Healthier and warmer than it had been a moment ago. "You will find they await you still, blooming from hill to vale."

"Will you be there?" The boy responded.

Luna, hesitant, shook her head dismally, beckoning forth a cold wind. Her skirts flowed freely, as she grew into the beautiful woman Noctis had only beheld for the first time a moment ago. "Would that I could join you…but this moment…will have to be enough."

The flowers dissolved, turning to dust in the wind. The boy shivered, the coldness of death seeping into his bones. "It's not right…" Tears kissed his cheeks, and he did nothing to hold them back. "All I…All I wanted was to save you…" He sniffed. "You promised you'd be waiting for me."

"And I did…but now I must go." She stooped to pluck a blossom. "When the world falls down around you, and hope is lost…"

He didn't want to hear this.

"When you find yourself alone in a lightless place."

Not her, not now…

"Look to the distance, know that I am there."

In the distance…where he'd never be able to reach her.

"And that I will watch over you…always." She held the blossom out to him only to let it drift on.

"No…no!"

"Farewell, dear Noctis…"

He took a shuttering breath and surged forward, his childhood innocence melting away and leaving a Prince with too big of shoes to fill. He kicked and he flailed, but she was just out of reach. Luna's eyes closed and she slipped into the darkness.

The blossom melted too, giving way to the Ring of Lucii. The item that destiny dictated he wear. It made him sick just to look at it. But Luna had left it for him, and so he cupped it in his hand. His body still shook with sobs as he gripped the item tightly in his fist.

Gravity switched, and he was on his side and he was drenched. His eyes shot open, only to see the halted chest of Luna. He pulled away from her, looking down at her cold, motionless body.

"Luna...?" He whispered, terrified of the truth. But she was cold to the touch and her dress was soaked red. "LUNA!" He screamed, lifting her into his arms. Her head lulled back. "No! This can't be happening! It can't!"

It was then that he heard the gasping breath coming from beside him. He glanced over, disgusted by the intruder, only to see Ignis. Silvery scars littered his exposed skin and over his eyes.

"…Iggy?"

The ring laid between them, and everything made sense.

Noctis shook his head in denial and pulled Luna closer to him.

Damn fate. Damn the Astrals. Damn the Crystal. Damn the Scourge and the daemons. And damn him for being unable to anything about any of it.

He heard footsteps coming toward him, but he didn't acknowledge it.

"Dude..." Prompto spoke, watching the scene in front of him.

Titan and Leviathan had retreated. Night had set, and the couple were framed in moonlight.

It would have been romantic, if not horribly tragic.

Noctis cupped Luna's face, his tears dripping on her cheeks. "I'm sorry…I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry…." He kissed her cold lips gently, scared that she would just disappear in his arms.

And she did. Gold light burned from within her, and she dissolved into flower petals. He watched them dance away, coldness setting upon his chest.

A hand gripped his shoulder. "She's gone." Gladio's cold voice said.

Noctis shook his head and curled in on himself, weeping.

—

The next day, much later than anyone else, Noctis awoke with a feeling of emptiness. The night had been a blur. He was terribly worried about Ignis, who was rushed off to be treated for burns. While he himself had been steered to his room. Gladio stripped him of his shirt and shoved his head under the faucet of cold water. Then Prompto toweled him dry and put him to bed. Now he was mostly awake. His hair was a mess and he was bleary eyed, but he was awake.

"So you returned to us." Said Ignis, plainly. "I'll let the others know…though it may take a while."

"Are you sure? Don't you need rest?"

"I'll be fine. It's just superficial damage. A small sacrifice…in the greater battle."

"And Luna?"

Ignis turned away from him, quiet for a moment. "I think you know."

Noctis nodded solemnly.

"I think it is in our best interest for us to return to Lestallum."

"What?! No we can't!"

The horrible images that the ring had shown him flashed in Ignis' eyes. "There have been so many sacrifices…what if there's more to come?"

"That's just it. We can't stop now, or all of their sacrifices will have been in vain. Please don't give up, Iggy." The King was practically begging, though he was sore and tired himself.

Ignis sighed. "I don't intend to give up…just…I think we should retreat for the time being. I believe that you and I are not in the best condition to move on yet. Gladio and Prompto were also injured in the fight, but not badly."

"That's good." Noctis sighed. "Alright. We'll go back to Lucis. But whatever we do there, I'd like to stay busy, or else..." he swallowed. "I'd like to forget about the last 24 hours."

"Understandable." Said Ignis, with consolation. He wandered over to the bed and reached out to touch Noctis' shoulder, but touched his head instead. He didn't correct himself. "It's alright to mourn, you know. Even a King is allowed emotions."

"Right…sure."

Ignis withdrew and turned to the door. "Well…get dressed. We'll be heading out soon."

—

Back in Cape Caem, the group stood among their friends. Once the events of Altissa were revealed, tears were shed and hugs were bestowed. Though, Noctis was resolved not to cry anymore. A king shouldn't show weakness.

"It's late," stated Gladio. "Whatever our next move is, it'll have to wait until tomorrow."

The Prince said nothing, and only breezed past his friends and headed outside. The darkness, despite the threat it held, was a comfort to him. He made his way up to the lighthouse.

"Noctis, wait!" Prompto called out to him.

Wait, he did.

"I…I know you want to be alone. But I just want to make sure you're safe."

Out of all of those who could be with him, he was glad it was Prompto. He always spared a kind word, and his own insecurities made him feel really human. His heart was bigger then anyone's.

"Okay." Noctis said after a beat. "I'm just going to look at the stars."

"Sounds fun!"

The duo rode the elevator up to the top deck, and then exited, leaning against the railing.

Prompto wasn't usually the type to have patience for sitting around. Fishing trips were boring, but he still went because he enjoyed spending time with his buddy. But at this moment, staring at the stars in silence, it felt right. It might have been minutes or hours, but neither knew. It was just a matter of letting their thoughts go and watching as the world went by.

But eventually, that silence came to an end, and Prompto blurted out without thinking. "Did you love her?"

Noctis was quiet, still trapped in his trance. "Yeah. Yeah, I did. I still do."

"Would you…bring her back, if you could?"

"In a heart beat."

Prompto frowned, hating seeing his friend in so much pain. "I wish I could have met her. She seemed really nice…you know, from the one letter she sent me."

Noctis smiled. "That's just like her though."

"So…she was nice. What else was she like?"

Noctis sigh wistfully, "Nice doesn't even cut it. She had the most gentle spirit. Any word she said was comforting. And she was unfathomably wise. She always knew what to say. I was fortunate to be able to confide in her during some of my awkward stages."

"To be fair, you're still in an awkward stage."

"Shut up."

Prompto giggled. "That's why she made such a good Oracle."

"Yeah…" Noctis glanced down to the water below, watching the waves crash into the rocks in the moonlight. "She also had a wicked sense of humor."

"Really? I never would have thought."

"She was always so prim and proper, but in our journal, that's when she was able to be herself." He looked over to Prompto, and pretended he wasn't choking up. "I always knew we'd be married some day. She knew too. Not just because of destiny and the bond between the Oracle and the True king…but…" He shook his head. "Never mind, it's stupid."

"No way dude, what is it?"

"I think we were Soulmates."

Prompto's shoulders sunk. "Soulmates, huh? Thats…that's a powerful word."

"Maybe. Or maybe I don't know any better because I haven't ever loved anyone else." Noctis looked away again, turning around to look across the landscape. The Disc of Cauthess was burning in the distance. "Thanks. For letting me be real, and not making fun of me. I couldn't have said any of that around Gladio."

"I bet Gladio wouldn't have asked."

"True."

"So…" Prompto nudged him with his elbow. "What do you want to do now?"

"We should head toward the Empire…but I'm worried about Ignis."

"Me too, man." Prompto screwed up his lips. "I…am not really looking forward to that mountain yet either. I dislocated my hip turning the fight with Leviathan. It's back now, but it still hurts to walk." He looked bashful, "sorry, I didn't mean to complain."

"You're fine. To be honest, I don't want to go to the Empire either…I don't know if I'm strong enough to face….whatever awaits us there. Ardyn, daemons…or an army. I just…need something else first."

"Hey, that's an idea! We can look for more royal tombs!"

Noctis nodded, smiling softly, "good idea. I bet Specs and Gladio would go for it."

"Then it's settled." Prompto clapped, invigorated. "Let's get to bed."

The two walked back to the cabin, feeling at least a little better.

On the porch waited a visitor.

"Umbra?" Noctis approached the dog carefully, holding out his hand. "Hey boy…"

Umbra whined, and leaned into the affectionate pet. Noctis took out the journal, and flipped through the pages, just to be close to Luna for a moment, but then, at the last page, a sylleblossom was pressed in the paper.

"Oh…" Noctis sighed. "Why must I be tormented like this?"

"Soulmates dude." Prompto shrugged, sympathetically. "She's watching over you."

Noctis nodded, but didn't feel any better.

—

The ride to Lestallum was mostly made in silence, but not for the lack of trying on Prompto's part. Noctis and him sat in the back, while Gladio drove and Ignis rode shotgun, since he couldn't drive anymore.

But as Prompto looked over his gaggle of friends, he began to worry about the brotherly bond they had formed. It seemed the death of the Oracle had been a tragedy in many, many ways.

Noctis kept his hand in a fist, where he held the Ring. He hadn't shown anyone the item, but the burden it saddened him with was almost too great to bare. On more then one occasion, he had begged Gladio to pull over to vomit.

"The hell is with you?" Gladio finally asked on the third pull over. "I'm not that bad of a driver."

"It's not you." Noctis assured. "I'm just…dealing with stuff."

"Yeah, well we're all dealing with stuff, cool guy." He spit, meeting his eyes in the rearview mirror. "And I don't hear anyone else complaining."

"I'm not complaining! I just don't want to get sick on the upholstery!" The Prince argued back.

"Bullshit! I've been listening to you sniffling back there like a goddamn child! You're a King, act like it!"

"My fiancée died two days ago! Let me grieve!"

Gladio turned around, and pinned him with his blood red eyes. "And hundreds more people are going to die! Are you going to be known as the crying, selfish, baby King? Maybe if you stopped moping around, you'd give a shit about someone worse off then you. Get over it!"

"I am over it!" Noctis lied.

"How does that ring fit? Rather carry it then wear it?"

"Shut up!"

"She gave her life so you could do your duty, not sit around and feel sorry for yourself!"

"I know!"

"No, you don't! Ignis took one for you too, and for what?"

"Enough Gladio." Ignis cut in. "I've listened long enough. Let Noctis grieve now, or else it'll happen at the most inopportune time."

Gladio curled his lip up in a snarl. "Fine. Keep spoiling him, see if I care." He turned back around, and turned the car on. "Let the coward cry."

"Gladio—" Prompto tried to intervene.

"I get it!" Noctis shouted, his voice breaking, hating to be subjected to this cruelty. "I get it."

It seemed that the King had the last word as no one could fight with the pain in his voice. Noctis, hurt, turned his face away and looked at the scenery as Gladio started to drive again. A hand rested on his shoulder, and he turned to see Prompto with a gentle, reassuring smile.

He didn't even try to return it.

—

Some time around 12:00, the group pulled over in Old Lestallum to get food and gas.

"I like this town." Prompto announced with a sigh. "It's…rural."

"And always suffering under the thumb of the base." Ignis pointed to the fort that resided on the other side of the river.

"Not anymore it's not." Prompto countered. "Or did you forget we totally wiped their asses?"

"We did, for now. But how long will it take for more troops to move in?"

"…hm."

Noctis interrupted. "Are we getting grub, or what?"

"We're getting grub, you're getting gas." Gladio tossed the keys to the Prince.

Noctis muttered under his breath. "We're getting grub, you're getting gas. God, you're such a bully."

"You say something?"

"Nothing, Your Strongliness."

Gladio frowned in his direction, but ultimately said nothing.

Once the group had disappeared into the diner, Noctis raised his fist and again looked at the ring in his clutch. His fingers trembled as an unbearable ringing in his ears gave him a headache. "Man, being royalty sucks." He whispered. When he finished fueling, he headed to the diner.

"…they say it's the size of a building! No hunter has been able to kill it." Noctis overheard the tipster say.

"And this is where, again?" Asked Ignis.

"Over in Malmalm Thicket. There's a bridge that goes over a river, and then a road that goes up the mountain."

"Sounds like a party." Gladio appraised. He looked over to the King, who had finally joined them. "How 'bout it? Feeling man enough to take on the Bandersnatch?"

Noctis rolled his eyes dramatically. "If I say yes, will you stop acting like a jerk?"

"If I say yes, will you stop acting like a bitch?"

"God!"

"I think we'll take you up on that hunt," Ignis told the tipster before anything else could be said.

"Can I also get a burger and some fries?" Asked Prompto, meekly. "…Make that four burgers, I'm starving."

—

"Are we there yet? I hate hiking!"

"My feet hurt."

"You two are the most insufferable children on Titan's green Earth." Ignis complained, hanging onto Prompto's arm for support.

"I hate you all." Said Gladio.

They were just barely up the mountain, and they had felled several spiracorns, but the exhaustion was apparent on their faces.

"The sun's setting." Prompto noted. "Should we head back down the mountain and look for a haven?"

"I'm not hiking up this hill again tomorrow." Noctis said, "let's just plow through. The dungeons always have daemons in them anyway."

Gladio and Ignis said nothing, just agreeing with him.

The entrance to the thicket was dark against the setting sun, and only scant light shown through. There was distant buzzing.

"Uggghhh…"

"What now?" Gladio gave Prompto a look.

"Killer wasps…I don't like bugs."

"I'm with you on that one, buddy." Noctis added.

"Do you want to check this place out for a Royal Tomb or not?" Gladio put his hands on his waist, feeling like a mom reprimanding her children.

"Yes!" Said Noctis, annoyed of Gladio's overbearing behavior. "I'm just not keen on being poisoned! Just like I don't like vomiting in cars!"

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

Together, awkwardly, they stomped their way into the Thicket.

—

"SWING YOUR DAMN SWORD THE OTHER WAY!"

"WHAT!?"

"OTHER WAY!"

"I think Gladio's a touch confused."

"YEAH, NO SHIT HONEY!"

The battle wasn't going stellar. Ignis was out, because no one wanted a blind man throwing Daggers. Prompto had been poisoned and then passed out. And now Noctis was alternating between fighting daemons and fighting Gladio.

Said fighter shook himself. "I'm back!"

"About time!" Noctis covered his face in his shirt as another blast of gas from the wasps filled the air. He could Gladio coughing a few feet away from him. "Now do you see the practicality of wearing a shirt?!"

The blade of a broadsword missed his head by mere inches, thanks to his quick reflexes.

"I can't take this anymore!" Noctis shouted before the royal arms tore from his back. Gracelessly, he ricocheted through the group of monsters and crushed them all. Only when the insistent buzzing disappeared did he allow himself to return to his normal breathing rate.

"Impressive." Was Ignis' coy reply from the shadows.

"It was."

"Prompto, wake up." Ignis said, kneeling on the ground with a potion.

"There better not be anymore nasties for a while." Noctis groaned as he watched Gladio continue to battle with the air. "Knock it off, Pecs!"

"What?" Asked Ignis.

"I said PECS not SPECS!"

"WHAT!?" Screamed Gladio.

"THE MONSTERS ARE GONE!"

Prompto sat up, taking the potion with thanks. "Do you guys see that blue glow over there?"

The group turned and looked the direction Prompto pointed his flashlight.

"It's a Haven!" Noctis nearly shouted, running.

"Hey! Why don't you think of someone else for a change?" Gladio shouted after him.

"I am! I'm scouting!"

"Selfish, no good, wannabe—"

"HAAA!"

CRACK.

The group paused and listened after hearing Noctis shout.

"I killed a crab." He finally announced.

"Splendid. I think we'll have crab for dinner then."

"The area around the haven is clear of beasts and daemons. But there is a creek, so be careful Iggy."

"Thank you, Noctis."

Finally, everyone made it to the haven, and the tent was pitched. Firewood was gathered and a meal was started. Then, Noctis collapsed in a chair and relaxed for a moment. That is, before Gladio gave him a punch to the shoulder.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"…that was a thanks, for saving my butt…all our butts back there."

Noctis smiled at the compliment. "If you punch your friends, I'd hate to see what you do to your enemies."

Gladio gave a wicked smile before it faded. "You'll see it the next time we face Ardyn."

On that awkward note, Ignis jumped in. "The bisque is finished."

"Alright!" Cried Prompto, getting out of the tent. "Soup's on!"

After dinner, the group sat around chit chatting. Noctis was quiet, however, feeling a weight on his chest from his breast pocket.

"You okay Noct?" Prompto finally asked when he got a glimpse of his cringing face.

"Not this again…" Gladio drawled.

"It's the ring…" Noctis bit out. He took the Ring of Lucii out of his pocket and held it in his palm, his body trembling.

"Well if it's such a burden, why don't I carry it?" Gladio posed, standing.

"No!" Noctis pulled his hand back. "You can't!"

"What's wrong Smeagol? 'Fraid I won't give it back?"

Noctis clenched his teeth. "Fine. You want to see it? Hold out your hand."

"Do NOT put it on." Ignis bit.

"Tch, like it's that bad." He thrust his hand out, way too eager.

Noctis hesitated. "You promise you won't put it on?"

"Cross my heart." Gladio said smugly.

Noctis dropped it into his waiting palm.

Without warning, Gladio was undated with horrific images. Images of things yet to come, and things that already happened. He heard Ignis' screams of anguish as his eyes were burned out of his skull. He saw Luna stabbed through her eyes and through Noctis'. Then came the frightening faces and ghostly whispers of the Kings of Lucis' past. All of this came at once, and Gladio was pinned to the ground by the ring.

After only a few seconds, he dropped it. As his body continued to tremble, he met Noctis' eyes, which held no sympathy.

"I'm…I'm sorry." He managed. "I didn't…I thought it was just a ring…" He covered his mouth as he felt the bile making it's way up his throat.

Noctis sighed. "It's okay. But don't call me a bitch anymore."

Gladio chuckled, still shaking, "deal."

Prompto stood from his seat. "Okay, I'm next."

"You don't have to." Noctis quickly defended, picking up the ring from the ground.

"Yes, I do. Whatever this thing is…it's changed all of you. And I don't want to be left behind." He came closer and knelt on the ground, "Noct, buddy, let me help you out here."

Noctis hesitated again, but held the piece up between his fingers. "I'm sorry in advance."

Prompto nodded and held his hand out.

The ring fell into his palm.

The same images overwhelmed Prompto…but he seemed to handle it better than Gladio had. But after a few seconds, he dropped the ring too. Crying, he screamed out, "This isn't fair!"

"Yeah…" Agreed Gladio. "It sucks…big time."

Silence held the group before Noctis picked up the ring again. "Well, I'm bushed. Goodnight y'all."

And without another word, he departed into the tent.

—

The dreamscape was familiar. A void of white, dotted with blue flowers.

"Luna?" He called, because the flowers could only mean one thing. Instead, a woman in black clothes appeared, a smile on her face. "Gentiana…"

"O King. The god's have heard your cries. Know that we weep with you."

Noctis looked to his bare feet. "Yeah, I bet."

"The Oracle's calling has not yet been fulfilled. But…Lunafreya as you know her cannot return the way she was."

Noctis looked up, hopeful. "But she can return?!"

"In a way." Gentiana said vaguely, before she stooped to pluck a flower. "Though the road will be difficult, and sometimes confusing. One day, your bride will be in your arms once again."

He furrowed his brow. "What must I do?"

"You are already on the right track. Continue seeking out the Royal Arms, and you will find what you are looking for."

"Noct! Wake up! We got a Bandersnatch to maim!"

The void turned black, and suddenly he was looking into Gladio's face. "Ugh, of all the things to see first thing in the morning, it has to be your ugly mug."

—

Chapter One! I don't usually post until I have a few chapters written, but I want to see how many people are interested in this. So if you like what you read, please leave a review!