The Kingdom of Lucis, XX/XX/XXXX
The kingdom of Lucis, one of the most powerful kingdoms in Fabula Nova Crystalis, was under siege. Spears fly, guns fire, and swords meet each other by a deadly act of avarice from the king of Niflheim. Regis Sentra Caelum hated this. Even though his people were famed for bringing justice swiftly, cold-heartedly, the king had never welcomed any kind of violence to others or toward them. He looks at his son, Noctis, who stood, shaking from the cold winter night, but with a gleam of determination in his blue, iridescent eyes. Only 9 years of age, but his fighting prowess exceeds all the limits that the king has set for him.
"Why do you think they are doing this, Father?" Noctis ask uncertainly.
'"For greed, for power, for glory. There are much temptation in those emotions, child." He whispered. "One day, you might feel it too. And when that happens, never, ever give in to those emotions."
Noctis nodded solemnly, as if he had understood far more than what was spoken. "I'm worried about Mother." He said.
Regis knelt down, and pulled his son into his arms, hugging him closely. "I know, dear child, but have faith in your mother. She's a very strong woman."
The queen, Astrid Mariane Caelum, was from the kingdom of Niflheim, one of the strongest races known for they unrivaled cruelty and overwhelming dominion over ice. They had once frozen the earth for a straight 750 days. She was currently giving birth to his second child, through the night of raging battle, even his queen have her own battle to fight. It shredded the king heart that he can't do anything except stand there and witness all these things happen and can't do anything to stop, or at least soften the impact of these events. As he stands there, looking at his son, he realized how much Noctis truly favored him in look. The pale, innocent face was chiseled into a scowl by the cruel world itself. He wore a black popped-up high collar jacket, a pair of glove, a handy survival kit around his waist, and the pair of boots that the king had given him for his 9th birthday. He gripped Nemesis in his hand tightly, like a lifeline. The falchion was another gift for his birthday since he had unlocked a new power, Space leaps.
The queen shrill scream of pain interrupted his train of thought. Both the king and his son was holding their breath, listening intently, treading minutes after minutes, until the wail of the newborn that was like a victorious battle cry to all makes them jumped. King Regis looks at his son, to see Noctis grinning up at him. "Can we go in now, dad?" He asked giddily.
Regis smile, took his son hand, and was running up the tower, where the birth chamber resides. The king barge through the door, heaving from the long run just like his son, and finally looks up to see the prettiest picture of all time. Astrid was lying there, looking rather tired, yet the happiness in her pale hazel eyes gleam brighter than any stars he has ever seen. She cradles their baby to her breast, resting his head on her chin, while the child still wailing and screaming. The moment she looked up and saw them, the smile that could light a dying sun appears on her face.
"Come and see for yourself, your highnesses. I promise he won't bite." Astrid whispered teasingly while Noctis rush over to meet his new brother.
The king lean down and kissed her gently on the lips. "You have done me so much proud, I can't believe that you actually belong to me. I certainly know that a man like me isn't capable of it." Regis whispered against her ears.
Astrid presses one finger against his lips, silencing him. "None of that, your majesty. It is me who should have been proud to have two beautiful sons for you. I'm the one who should thank you for giving me two greatest gifts in the world." She said tiredly, but nonetheless fierce.
"And that is?" The king asked reverently, reluctantly.
Astrid pulled Noctis close while giving him such a look that warmed his entire empty soul. "For the two bright princes that one day will walk on this earth as one of the best ruler in the history of Terrasatus. " She said with conviction, then, a smile softens her feature as she looks at the king with so much love that makes a tear slid down from the corner of his eyes." And for the love that you have given me these past years."
He buried his head into the crook of her neck and wept openly. He recalled the only time he cried like this was when his parent died in a gruesome murder years ago. His heart died that day, died by the cruelty of mankind, by the cruelty of the world. He ascended to the throne at the age of fifteen, old enough to know better, but also too young to face the horror that's in the real world. He was force to grown up astringently, bitterly at everyone else. Bitter at the world, and most important of all, bitter at himself. Then, Astrid had come to him, for nothing more than just to comfort him, be the shoulder he need...be his friend. He had fallen in love with her instantly, but politic separate her race from his, and adding the fact that she was a hybrid between Niflheimnian and human, makes her being ridiculed even more. But instead of being repulsed and disgusted, it makes him drawn to her more, more protective where she was concern. At the end of the year, he was ready to marry her; no matter what. He was half-afraid that his guardians would object, or worse...send assassins after her. His uncle eyes shone with murderous fury that promise a hell wrath to him if he wouldn't change his mind, but at the end, it was all thanks to his aunt gentle and loving heart that had convince his father to let them marry. His aunts always have a specialty of seeing the best in people, and she hasn't mistaken for accepting Astrid as his bride. The day after they have married, he had fallen so sick that he wasn't even aware of anything around him, except for the dainty fingers that had always wrapped themselves around his knuckle, praying. She had even helped his father with governing the empire in his stead. And right after he got better, she already had the Niflheimnian shaking hand with the Lucisian in peace.
General Farron suddenly barge in, his shoulders sagged, and he looks ten years older than he really is. His face look grim, tired, but his eyes still shone with murderous blood lust. His dark hair is now streaked with white, give him a look of wisdom that he rightfully have. His hand rest on his sword, the infamous Excalibur. Legend had once said that Etro herself had forged the sword. It was famed for cutting down even the strongest demon. But it can only bestow upon the most loyal of hearts. One who will always be faithful to it master, and also pass judgments on sinners.
"Those damn Tenebraneans dare to kill almost all of my men," general Farron growled low in his throat. "I will bathe in the blood of all of their soldiers, most importantly, the king himself."
The king slid away from his wife embrace, stood up, and whispered. "Rally all the troop you can, we will defend the crystal until the last of us drop."
"There are only about fifty to sixty young soldiers left, Your Majesty." The general remind him.
Regis spun around to face the general; his eyes probably say it all, because after a quick look at him, the general paled three shades and bowed reverently. "As you wish, Your Majesty." And quickly took his leave.
He then looks at Noctis, seeing the fear etched in those beautiful eyes. Noctis look so much older than he should be, so much more mature. His shoulders already sagged as if the entire world was on his shoulders. His hands have so much callous from the intense training general Farron had put him through. The king close his eyes as he felt his heart bled even more for his son. Noctis doesn't deserve this. What he deserves was a happy family, with more time to relax and play with his friends...like a normal kid.
I'm so sorry, Noctis.
"Noctis, I want you to st-"
"No, Father." Noctis said fiercely. " I had seen that look on your face for the thousandth times. I've told you many times, father, that even though I'm just a kid, I know better than letting my family dies for me. We, the Luciscian, are a proud race. If we die, we will die out there, in the battlefield, not sickly in bed."
Noctis lift his chin defiantly. "No matter what you do, I will go with you. There won't be a way for you to sway me from this. Either you take me with you now, or you can knock me out and I'll still come after you, but the stake might be higher. So if you want what's best for me, I think you should choose the first option."
Regis pulled his son into his arm and holds him close. "You have grown up." The king whispered.
Noctis smirked one of his arrogant smirk. "Those people out there are not just your responsibility, father. One day, they will become my responsibility, too."
The king nodded at him, then went back to the bed, where Astrid is. She was sitting up on her bed, looking at them. An unrecognizable expression was on her face, while tears slid down her cheeks.
Regis leaned over and kisses the tears away. She took hold of his shirt, bury her head in it, and cry with so much pain that it brought tears to his eyes. But he refuses to let them fall. If he cried now, he would never be able to leave this bed. She hang on to his shirt, begging him not to go, not to bring Noctis with him, not to leave her in this world like this.
"Astrid," he said gently. "You know this can't end without bloodshed. It would be much more preferable to be the blood of the Tenebranean king, but like you once said, what fated, had always been fated. There's no use in straining yourself to change it."
"Please, Regis. I have lost so many people in my life, I have buried so many love ones. Please don't be so cruel and make me bury you too." She begged.
"My dear, beautiful Astrid," he cooed. "I can't make any promises, but if I'm alive after this, I will see you for one last time, even if it means that it would end my life."
She pulled his face close and gives him a scorching kiss, a kiss that had long branded itself in his memory. "I love you." She breathed.
"I love you too, Astrid." He replies softly.
She then released her grip on him, and wave at Noctis. Noctis ran over and hug his mother fiercely. She wept into his shoulder as she held him like she have found something she have lost, something that is unspeakably precious to her, yet she have to let it go.
"Promise me you will be safe," she demanded, kissing his cheeks. "Swear on Etro that you will be safe."
"As you once said, mother, that what had been fated will happen, so there's no need to try and change it." Noctis smile sadly.
Another sob escape her.
General Farron walked in again. This time, his face was determined, like he was ready for anything to happen.
"It's time, your majesty." He bowed.
"This is no time to be formal, general." Regis said. "As of this point, you and everybody out there who's fighting for the Lucisian people are my brothers and sisters in heart, blood, and souls."
The general was so stunned that he can stand there for eternity if Noctis hasn't pinched his left side. "C'mon, old man. Let break hell loose on these scum-sucking dogs." Noctis grinned at him.
"Noctis, language." The king and queen both remind him, both teasingly and sternly at the same time.
Noctis actually manage to look sheepish. "Sorry," He scratched the back of his head. "I got quite...carried away. I'll see both of you outside." And then, he was gone.
Regis takes one last look at his wife, let loose his breath, and walks out the door.
' As the general took his leave, the queen stopped him.
"General Farron," She said, her eyes steeled. "I have one favor to ask you, will you swear to the goddess Etro that you will always remember and abide this favor of mine."
The general gaze directly into the queen hazel eyes, and bowed down at her feet. "The moment that you have rescued me from Mount Tettris, I have always been your eternal servant. Name the favor, and no matter how hard it is, I will do it to the best of my power."
That declaration only makes her cry harder, she then kneels down, and hold both of his arms, and helps him up. She then go to the crib, where the young prince laying asleep peacefully in her arms, unaware of the war that raged outside. She wrapped the babe up with a black blanket, cover the it tightly, and hand the baby to him.
"I want you to flee with this child, adopt him, raise him, and..." She choked on a sob. "And give him all the happiness he deserves."
His eyes widened, "You're asking me to flee like a coward? To abandon my people and just gone to save my own ass?" The general asked incredulously.
"No," The queen replied through gritted teeth. "I'm asking you to save the last bloodline of the Lucis family. This war will be a total one side massacre, and I know you know it. So I want you to bring him far away from this place. Train him to fight, and hope that he could defend himself, to love his common life."
There were tears in the general eyes now, but to his credit, he did not let a single one of them drops.
"I know this is hard for you," She said gently. "But you will have to do it. Do it for the nation. Do it for the king. Do it for me. And most importantly...Do it for you."
"What shall I name this child?" He whispered the question.
The queen took a moment to think, "Cloud," She said finally. "His name will be Cloud Strife. Now, if you don't mind, you will have to go now before Regis or Noctis find this out."
General Farron nodded, and ran out the hallway from the back door, disappear under the purple curtain.
"May the blessing of Etro be with you and yours forever, General Farron." She whispered, then quickly change into her armor and gone out to meet with her husband and son.