Final Fantasy Versus XIII: Somnus

A/N: So after a very long hiatus from Fan Fiction, I've decided to jump back into the world of Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Since I received some very positive feedback from both of my Versus stories, 'La Stella Incontrata di Notte' and 'Ultimus Spiritus' , I've combined them into one, hopefully long Fan Fic, named 'Somnus'. So you may see some familiar writing from both past Fan Fics as well as a lot of new stuff. With this story I hope to recapture the emotional drama of the last two stories and turn it into something epic.

This chapter will serve as more of a Prologue. To set the tone, here's a video:

.com/watch?v=-Z60zCzVOaM

And without further ado, here is the first chapter of Final Fantasy Versus XIII: Somnus

I- Light of the Night Sky

On the 27th day…there was confrontation

Noctis breathed heavily as he ran through the fiery streets of his own kingdom. The attack took everyone by surprise. They had retaliated, but not without cost. The Army of Tenebrae had left the mark, scarring his kingdom forever. They would all remember this night…especially Noctis.

Noctis' footsteps got heavier and harder as he ran faster, cutting through an alleyway. Part of it was on fire. He didn't hesitate, jumping over the flames and through the thick black smoke. He was about to cross the street when...

"Noct?"

He stopped abruptly, almost tripping over his own feet as he looked to his right.

And there she was.

The Prince, made careful, meaningful strides towards her; a look of worry in his eyes.

She too, made her way towards him, running almost, but she stopped when she saw what was forming behind him.

Noctis stopped as well.

"Stella…" he began. After all that running…nothing to say except her name?

She shook her head, summoning her rapier.

Noctis had already summoned his blade as he searched Stella's eyes for something. Anything. Any hint of sadness…remorse…guilt…love.

Nothing.

But still….she shined….just like when they first met…

Like a Star in the Night Sky.

Noctis stared her down as he held his blade at his side. She stood confident, as if she found resolve with her decision.

She was still.

He was timid.

One time, she had called him cold, but now all he could see in her eyes were ice.

Not anger.

Which only fueled his fire inside, because he had every right to be…so why wasn't she?

"Why are you so quiet?" he asked, as his voice broke the silence so suddenly, it scared even him.

He didn't receive an answer.

There was absolutely nothing in her eyes. He couldn't read her.

Maybe that was what was killing him the most. Before this he knew her inside out, front cover to back.

Every single page.

Now she was like a dictionary, forcing him to find words to describe her now.

The only problem was that dictionaries have 1,560 pages.

"Will you not fight?" she asked, finally releasing the lock on her lips.

"No…" Noctis replied as his eyes cast down at the cement of the Intersection.

"Then why is you're sword still drawn? Why does the power of the Crystal still float around you in the shape of particles?" she asked. It came off emotionless, but demanding at the same time.

That's when the fire erupted, "Do you realize what you and I are about to do?" That was when he realized it was the first time he yelled at her, but he didn't mean to.

"Do you?" he demanded again, "One of us, will NOT come out of this alive, Stella!"

But it was if nothing he said was phasing her. As if she knew all the consequences and found her own way to come to terms with them.

"You are not my enemy, Stella. You never were..." he told her.

"But you are mine. So, come, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Fight me." She responded as she took steps closer to him.

"I-I can't…" choked the Prince. He felt a wetness building up in his eyes. Tears?

"There is no other way! Why will you not fight?" she demanded. Suddenly she was upon him, the tip of her blade only a few inches from his neck.

"Because…I Love You."

It was then that he looked up at the night sky and saw an all too familiar light. The Light of Etro. The Goddess of Death. She was ready to take in a new soul.

But he wasn't.