Hello everyone! I had this story in mind for a long time but was really on the fence about posting it. I am not a writer and never was. However, after some thought, I have decided to go through with it. Hope you enjoy it. Here are a couple of notes
1)I am a huge Lightis shipper but this is my first attempt at putting my thoughts into words. Also, English is my third language. So I apologize in advance for all the grammar errors that i have made. But feel free to review and criticize.
2)I have tried to reconcile the ending of Final Fantasy XV with the post game content to the best of my abilities. But I had this story in mind years before the game's release. Thus, I had to have young Noctis as my hero. And I wanted a happier ending for the gang, especially Prompto.
3)I am a sucker for cosmic stories from comic books like Crisis on Infinite Earths, the Macross shows (especially the film 'Do You Remember Love?'), and Neil Gaiman's Sandman books. Those are my inspirations. However, above all else, this is the story of Noctis and Lightning.
4)I have noticed a couple of other Lightning x Noctis works with very similar titles. I thought of changing it to avoid confusion, but I had this title in mind for all these years (okay I stole it from the Night Elf campaign in Warcraft III) and changing it just did not sit right with my OCD. But I have PMed the concerned author about this.
Note: This takes place after Lightning Returns and Final Fantasy XV
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to anything. All rights belong to Square Enix.
To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in wild flower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an Hour
William Blake, Auguries of Innocence
Chapter 1: The Child of Destiny
Noctis felt the very essence of his being slipping away. It felt as though every atom in his body was being destroyed. But he did not care, for just moments ago, he had finally vanquished the spirit of the Immortal Accursed. The one who called himself Ardyn Izunia. The Accursed had schemed and plotted through millennia, fueled by hatred and spite, and he had played everyone like pawns in a chessboard and managed to engulf the world in an eternal night for ten long years. Worst of all, he had taken Luna's life right in front of Noctis, as he watched on, helpless, exhausted from his battle with The Hydraean. But even as she lay there bleeding, Luna had unlocked the latent power of the kings within him. Luna! He wanted nothing more than to save her. But he knew that even in death, she had watched over him.
Noctis's lips formed into a faint smile as he closed his eyes and felt the Ring of the Lucii slip off his finger. He had done his part, it was time to rest now. Thus, the chosen King of Stone, the Last of the Caelums, fell into his final slumber, or so he thought.
For unbeknownst to him, fate had other plans. Noctis Lucis Caelum CXIV, the last in the long line of Lucian kings, had a far greater destiny to fulfill.
Noctis's eyes slowly fluttered open. It took him a moment to adjust to the blinding bright light. As a young prince, he had always disliked the bright morning sunlight that interfered with his sleep. But there was something different about this particular light. It was calm and soothing, and the entire place was bathed in its divine glow. Underneath him, he saw countless worlds dancing around the stars in a beautiful cosmic medley. He thought it was the most wondrous sight he had ever seen, until he beheld the sight in front of him. For around him stood the five Astrals in all their eternal magnificence.
First stood Titan, unmoving and steadfast. Then Ramuh, holding his mighty staff Ixion in his hand, his violet eyes crackling with living lightning. Next to him was Leviathan, but not in the form Noctis was familiar with. The goddess had assumed a humanoid form similar to that of a mermaid with a dark tail and flowing dark hair. But there was no mistaking who she was. After her was Shiva, unlike the others, whose eyes seemed devoid of emotion. The Glacian's eyes, even in this divine form, brimmed with affection for humanity. Looking at her, Noctis could not help but break into a soft smile as he remembered the first time he had met Gentiana, the first time he had met Luna. The halcyon days they had spent as children on the fields of Tenebrae, surrounded by sylleblossoms. Noctis snapped out of his reverie and turned his gaze to the last of the Astrals, Bahamut, the mightiest of the six.
It was the Draconian who first spoke, "You have done well O chosen King of Kings, but it is not your time to rest, for your destiny is not yet fulfilled."
Noctis looked at the armored God in front of him with a mixture of surprise and confusion in his eyes. "What do you mean?" he asked, "Ardyn Izunia is dead, his essence destroyed. Is the world still immersed in darkness?"
"Nay young king!" it was the Glacian's melodic voice, "You have succeeded in what you set out to do all those years ago. The spirit of the Accursed truly is vanquished and the denizens of Eos shall see the light again. But things are not how it seemed. We have learned from those above us that your providence is far greater than what we had presumed."
Noctis stared at the deities bewildered, he believed he had fulfilled his calling, ten years and still it's not over?
"Providence? What providence do you speak of?"
"Even we Astrals are uncertain of the entire truth." spoke the Archaean, "However, we have learnt that your destiny was written eons ago, at the moment of creation and that is all we can tell you King of Light."
"We have been given the authority and the power to send you back ten years into the past. To the very moment you were pulled into the crystal." Said Bahamut.
On hearing those words, a multitude of emotions coursed through Noctis's very being, he had a million questions. What would happen then? Will Ardyn be reborn? Will he have to fight the Starscourge all over again? Has everything been for naught?
But before he could align his thoughts into coherent words, Bahamut continued, "Fear not King of Kings, the Accursed shall remain dead and the sun shall rise again in Eos. The Crystal and the Ring are destroyed, but the power lies within you now. Only the gods and you shall remember the events of the past ten years. You may reveal the truth to your companions or you may chose to spare them the darkness and memory of the Starscourge. We leave it unto you."
"Wait!" Noctis beseeched, "What about Luna? What about my father? Why cannot you send me back further into the past? Before they were taken?"
"I am afraid that's beyond our power King of Light." As she spoke, Shiva turned into a form Noctis was very familiar with, "But despair not King Noctis, for King Regis has taken his place of pride among his ancestors and Lady Lunafreya has looked out for you all these years from her abode in the moon."
Upon seeing the confusion in Noctis's eyes, she continued, "Yes, the Last Oracle has ascended, she has taken up her destined mantle as Goddess of Moon and the protector of dreams. She has replaced the Betrayer as one of the Hexatheon."
Before Noctis could comprehend the entirety of what the Glacian had said, he felt a warm soothing touch on his hand. He turned around and there stood Lunafreya Nox Fleuret, the last of the Oracles of Tenebrae.
Noctis's jaw dropped as he gazed upon the woman he was to marry once upon a time. His childhood friend, who had given up everything, even her life for the sake of his destiny. Luna looked just as he remembered, except for a soft divine glow emanating from within her.
"L-Luna! You are here? Are you really here?" Noctis staggered and fell to his knees as he uttered those words.
"Yes dearest Noctis." She smiled and cupped his face and gently leaned forward until their heads touched. "I am here, like I always have."
Noctis closed his eyes as he felt Luna's gentle touch on his face and barely managed to sputter, "Will we be together now?"
Luna stepped away and slowly shook her head, a single solitary tear running down her cheek, "I am afraid not. Our love was never meant to be. We both have different roles to fulfill in the cosmos and your destiny lies elsewhere... faraway."
"But-" before he could finish, Luna softly placed a finger on his lips and smiled, "Look deep within your heart Noctis, you know my words are true."
Noctis closed his eyes and in a moment of clarity, within his heart, he felt the truth of her words. He opened his eyes, nodded and stood up.
"Now it is time for you to go King Noctis" Shiva said.
Noctis looked at the deities assembled before him and nodded. As he turned his gaze back to Luna, she smiled and said, "Remember dearest Noctis, whenever you are alone, look up at the moon and know that I am always watching over you."
As he fell towards one of the worlds below, he kept his eyes fixed on Luna and returned her smile.
Ten years ago, after passing the trials of Leviathan, he had said goodbye to her, but this time it was different. Unlike then, this time, instead of devastating pain, he felt a soothing glow within him. Even as he fell through space and time itself.
"Noct! You okay?" Prompto called out as he ran up to the unconscious form of his friend, followed closely by Galdiolus and Ignis. The three crownsguard crouched over the body of their friend and King, their eyes filled with concern.
Noctis slowly opened his eyes. Gradually, the faces of his friends came into focus. The first thing he noted was that all of them looked much younger than the last time he had seen them, at the footsteps of the Citadel in Insomnia. They looked just like they did ten years ago, in the imperial capital of Gralea, before he was pulled into the decade long slumber. They even had the same clothes on.
"Are you alright?" asked Ignis, still loyal and brave, despite his blindness.
"Uh..I am okay" Noctis grunted as he slowly stood up with some difficulty.
"What happened to the Chancellor?" Enquired Gladio, the ever eager warrior.
"He is gone." said Noctis as he leaned on Prompto's shoulders, "Destroyed."
"Hey that's great Noct! You kicked his ass!" Prompto said cheerfully, before adding in a more sullen tone, "Too bad the Crystal is also done for." That's when Noctis noticed the shattered remains of the crystal.
"I wonder if we will see the sun, now that the chancellor is defeated?" Ignis mused.
"Yes! We will." Noctis said with confidence and walked towards the exit. Although he looked the same twenty year old boy, the three companions could not help but notice that something about him seemed different, like he had aged ten years in the past ten minutes.
As the first golden rays of the sun shone over the distant mountains of Niflheim, the four companions from Lucis stood atop Zegnautus Keep and felt its glowing warmth.
"Wow! No matter what you say about the Empire, I must concede that they do have a beautiful sunrise." Prompto laughed and turned to Noctis, "Hey Noct! I bet this is the first time you have been awake to see the sunrise in like... ever."
"More or less." Noctis chuckled without turning his eyes away from the rising sun.
"No one should miss a sunrise like this.." Prompto said merrily, but realized his mistake and turned to Ignis, "Oh Iggy.. I- I am sorry."
"What are you sorry for? I can see the sunrise just fine." Ignis turned around and took his shades off, a rare broad smile on his face.
All three of his companions stared at his eyes in disbelief, they were fully healed, with no sign of the scar.
"What? Did the sunlight heal your eyes?" Prompto asked in surprise.
"That seems to be the case, however illogical it may sound." Ignis said, all the while taking in the sight around him. Although he tried not to show it, it was obvious that he was delighted to have his sight return.
As Noctis stared at Ignis dumbfounded, he heard Luna's voice in his heart, "This is a small gift from the Six to you dear Noctis. A small token of appreciation for all the sacrifices you have made and those you are yet to make."
Noctis walked up to Ignis and embraced him, a smile on his face. He had carried the burden of Ignis's fate for too long, they all had.
"Who cares about logic. I am just glad that you can see again, I have missed your cooking." Gladiolus laughed as he placed a hand on Ignis's shoulder.
"Haha! I have missed your cooking too Iggy." Prompto joined in and tried to awkwardly wrap his arm around the taller man's shoulders.
"Make up your own joke short stuff!"
"Aww.. I am supposed to be the funny one Gladio."
As his friends bantered and laughed, Noctis kept his eyes closed and relished the feel of the warm sunlight and the cold wind juxtaposed on his skin. His mind was still recalling the events that had transpired, the celestial audience with the Hexatheon, Luna among them. And this great providence they spoke of. He could not fathom anything that was greater than the destruction of the Infernian and the end of the Starscourge.
"Something wrong Noct?" it was Ignis.
"Uh! No, I mean it's a long story."
"Well! Fortunately, we have a long road ahead of us." said Ignis.
Noctis nodded and smiled, "Yes we do."
"Let's hit the road then" Gladio said.
As the four friends took the first step towards their faraway home, Noctis came to a decision. He would be honest with his friends and tell them everything, the entire truth. After all, they deserved it.
It has been three years since the Starscourge ended. Noctis and his three companions were welcomed back as heroes in Lucis. With the death of most of the Niflheim high command, the Empire fell into disarray and many of the conquered territories gained independence. Many of them allied with Lucis and advocated a policy of peace. Foremost among them were Tenebrae and Accordo.
Since none remained of the bloodline of House Fleuret, Tenebrae is now governed by an Elected Council. King Noctis Lucis Caelum, the monarch of Lucis has promised them the full support of Lucis, as long as they worked for the betterment of the people. Although they were no longer ruling, the memory of House Fleuret is greatly honored and treasured. Sylva Nox Fleuret and her children Lunafreya and Ravus have been immortalized in three enormous ivory statues. Whatever ill feelings the people of Tenebrae harbored towards Ravus were dispelled when King Noctis apprised them of Ravus's true intentions and what he had done for the world.
Camelia, the First Secretary of Accordo already had a high opinion of the young King of Lucis since their summit in Altissia. She had no qualms about allying with Lucis to guide the world towards a better future. Whenever Noctis and his friends travel to Altissia on diplomatic missions, they always visit Weskham at the Maagho and savor his famous lasagne.
Exhausted and depowered from the long wars, Niflheim had no choice but to sign a peace treaty with the Allies. There are some fringe elements in Niflheim who still aim to resurrect the Empire. Fortunately, the current rulers seem to desire peace and has been trying their best to rehabilitate Niflheim's relation with the other nations of Eos.
Cid still works at his garage in Hammerhead with his cheerful granddaughter Cindy. Despite the multitude of requests from the King, the stubborn old man refuses to move to Insomnia. However, Noctis did manage to convince him to attend his coronation. But they had to practically drag him to the Crown City.
Iris never became 'Iris the daemon slayer'. But she does train with her brother regularly, to be able to protect the ones she loves. Although she spends most of her time studying with Professor Sania, she still tends to the house and the garden in Caem whenever she can. Young Talcott has joined the military academy and wants to be a Kingsglaive one day. Also, he still collects Cactuar figurines.
Commodore Aranea Highwind now leads the Dragoon corps of Lucis and when she is not hunting daemons, she spends her days with the King and his friends. Her nonchalant attitude in the presence of the King does seem to bother Grand Marshall Cor Leonis quite a bit.
Cor Leonis is the supreme commander of the Lucian forces and has direct command over the Crownsguard. The Kingsglaive is commanded by Gladiolus and although technically Ignis and Prompto are still part of the Kingsglaive and serves as the King's primary bodyguards along with Captain Galdiolus, the two of them hold other positions in addition. Ignis serves as the King's Chief Adviser and Strategist and sometimes chef, much to the King's delight. Prompto requested to be the Administrator of Leide for obvious reasons. But instead of administrating, he spends most of his days loitering around Hammerhead. Nevertheless, his effort seems to be paying off, as after years of persistence, he finally scored a date with Cindy.
Noctis takes special care not to alienate the people of his realm who dwell outside the Crown City. He has personally visited the far reaches of his kingdom and tried to connect with the people. On one such visit to Galahad, he came across a former Kingsglaive named Libertus, who had quite a story to tell. On being shown a picture of a brave Kingsglaive from Galahad named Nyx Ulric, Noctis recognized the daggers in the picture as the very same ones he had obtained from a Psychomancer wandering the alleys of Insomnia, who thought he was some sort of General of the Empire. When Noctis offered Nyx Ulric's daggers to Libertus, he refused and told Noctis to keep them in memory of the great hero. The King also offered him a place and position in the Crown City, but the former Kingsglaive said he was happier in Galahad, especially now that the Empire was gone.
Although they no longer posed much of a threat, a few daemons still prowled the nights, but they are easily taken care of. Sometimes, the King and his companions takes to the road in the Regalia and deals with the threats personally and spends the nights camping under the stars. Noctis especially loves the nights when the full moon shines in the night sky. It makes him feel like Luna is watching over him. To make their task easier, using Niflheim tech, Cindy managed to make the Regalia capable of flight. "Regalia Type F" is what she calls it. Most of the threats are taken care of by the soldiers and hunters. In the past three years, only twice was the intervention of the King essential. Once, when Longwythe peak 'awoke' and once when old lady Ezma tasked the king to take down ancient creatures sealed beneath the earth. Since then, the world has not faced any significant threat.
Eos seems to be headed towards a bright and prosperous future, but fate has other plans for King Noctis Lucis Caelum CXIV.
Noctis stood alone, atop the Citadel in Insomnia. After the dealings of the day, he liked to stand here and watch over his city. Tonight, the Crown City looked especially beautiful, with the full moon shining over its towering skyscrapers. A soft smile appeared on his face as the cold wind ruffled his spiky jet black hair. Although as king, his official attire had changed, he no longer wore the fatigues, they were replaced with a crisp black suit with gold adornments, his hair remained exactly the way it was. He ran his hand through his locks and closed his eyes as another gust of wind hit his face. Having been quite busy with his royal duties and responsibilities, he had not given much thought to the augury of the Astrals. But for some reason, after all these years, his mind wandered back to the celestial audience.
"It is time young king, your destiny calls..."
Noctis's eyes flew open and he frantically looked around. But there was nothing, no one, even the wind had stopped blowing. In fact, time itself seemed to have frozen.
Noctis heard the voice again and realized that it was coming from within him, "It is time young king, your destiny calls. The Dark One stirs and the End of Eternity is nigh. The fate of creation rests on your shoulders."
"Wha-wait... what about this world, what about Lucis?" Noctis stammered, "There is still so much left to do..."
"Worry not for this world young king." The voice interrupted him, "For the six shall watch over Eos."
"Yes dearest Noctis.." He turned towards the new but familiar voice. It was the voice of Luna, the goddess of moon, hovering in the air like a vision, with the full moon behind her forming a halo around her graceful visage. She smiled and continued in a soothing voice, "The six shall watch over Eos in your absence. Besides, you leave this world in capable hands."
Luna's words placated his spirit and he nodded with a little more confidence, "I am ready... I think. But what am I supposed to do?"
Luna smiled and glided closer to Noctis, "I have nothing to offer but my prayers and these words. They come, not from me but from the ones above. Thus, I pray that you hold on to them with all your heart - When you are in a strange foreign land, all alone. Look for the Savior, the woman with hair the color of roses. For she is your north star, the one who shall hold your hand and guide you through Eternity."
Noctis felt Luna's gentle touch on his forehead and heard her whisper a prayer. The very next instant, he was falling through time, space and universes.
As he fell through the walls of creation itself, Noctis beheld the cosmic spectacle around him. He saw what looked like gigantic digital codes, huge flashing screens, innumerable pages from titanic books. And then everything vanished. Suddenly, he was falling towards a world, a different world.
Noctis closed his eyes as he crashed to the ground. He had expected to be crushed into pieces. Instead, he only felt supremely exhausted. There were no physical injuries, even his clothes were remarkably intact, only slightly dirty from the earth.
Noctis slowly stood up and looked around, the world seemed similar to Eos, yet somehow different. But he had not gathered his bearings yet. He was dizzy from the inter dimensional fall and Luna's words still rang in his ears- When you are in a strange foreign land, all alone. Look for the Savior, the woman with hair the color of roses. For she is your north star, the one who shall hold your hand and guide you through Eternity.
-That's a wrap-
-Yea I know, no Lightning yet. Sorry about that. But be assured, she is coming soon.
Thanks for reading everyone...