Over and over. Loop after loop. Neverending, with the same ending no matter what they tried. It was hopeless.

"We can do it!"

"You know the rules. We can not interfere."

"Yes, we can. We can save them."

"Time is not something so easily changed. Our interference could make things far worse than they already are."

"But we have to try."

"If you would stop sacrificing yourself we wouldn't need to keep restarting."

"I won't stop. Not until we save them."

"We can't save them."

"I won't stop. They deserve better."

"This isn't about deserving. We have a job to do."

"We can't do our job if everything is dead!"

"Not everything is-"

"Enough is to matter! This isn't just about them, this is about the world as a whole. There has to be a better way."

"..."

"What if I could prove it?"

"What?"

"If I can prove there is a better way, will you help me?"

"If you prove that then what need will there be to go back?"

"Because I can't save everyone by myself. If I can at least prove there is a chance will you help me?"

"...I'll give you three more chances-"

"Just three?"

"..."

"Sorry, sorry. Three chances. Then what?"

"Three chances, whatever method you choose. If you can prove to me that there is a chance then I will help you, however…"

"However?"

"If we start to interfere then you will need to listen to everything I say. The rules are not just in place for the mortals, they protect us as well and you still do not have full control over your own powers. I won't stop you unless it is necessary so if I tell you not to do something you have to comply."

"..."

"Don't look so sad about it. I said only if necessary didn't I? And all of this is pointless if you can't prove anything so focus on that first."

"We can save them."

"So you keep saying."

"I'll prove it to you!"

"I almost hope you will, if only to stop you from looking like a kicked puppy everytime things go wrong."

"Very funny."

"Good luck."

"...Thanks."

-00-

"...You really love saving things for the last minute, don't you? You realize I keep resetting everything because you keep dying right? It doesn't matter if you manage to get the happy end you desire, if you die to reach it I'll be forced to ruin all of your efforts."

A heavy sigh.

"Still, a promise is a promise. We'll have to prepare a few things before we even think about starting to interfere, but I will help you. Just… stay alive this time."

A somber wind blew past the solitary figure.

"Please... Stay alive."

-00-

Regis Lucis Caelum was ecstatic. It had been a difficult year, with the passing of his father and the reigns of the Kingdom being suddenly thrust into his hands, but now a bright light of hope was beginning to shine through. His beautiful, strong, courageous wife was about to have their first child. Soon they would have a little light to call their own.

"Regis," the melodic voice made him smile the instant he heard it.

"Aulea," he approached her swiftly to reduce the distance she would have to travel. Reaching out he took her hands in his gently. "Are you sure you should be walking around right now?"

She laughed softly as he brushed a thumb over her knuckles. "I have time still before this little one is ready to join the world, don't worry so much."

He gave her a sheepish smile. "I can't help it darling," he lifted her right hand to place a soft kiss on her palm. "As much as I admire and adore your adventurous spirit it leaves me a little… concerned sometimes."

"Panicked, you mean," she returned the gesture before pulling him along to join her for a walk.

It was getting colder with the change of the season. Soon they would have to start wearing extra layers to court to avoid catching a cold.

"You look tired," Aulea murmured, leaning into him as they ambled through the gardens. "I should be the one worrying about you."

His heart warmed with affection. It was odd, how feeling such strong love could make the heart hurt from the overabundance of adoration it felt.

"I'm doing just fine," he reassured. The monotone skepticism in her expression made him laugh. "I'm not lying dear heart. It was… difficult after Father passed, but you helped me through that and so much more. Now we're going to have a child and no matter what stress I feel from the Wall nothing can dull the energy the mere thought of it gives me."

Even before they had married Regis knew they might not have children. As strong as Aulea had been when they were younger the years had only made her health more tumultuous. It was genetic, passed down through the women of her family, and they had both come to terms with the fact that the heir to the throne may not be of both of their blood. It was difficult on both of them, but this little miracle came along to alleviate all of their fears.

"They will be strong," Aulea prophesied firmly. "With a good heart and strong morals."

"Their mother's sense of adventure," Regis added, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and kissing the top of her head. "Her hair."

"Your eyes," she sighed happily. "And your intelligence."

"Love for the world around them. Your nose."

"Patience. Your ears."

They traded off, back and forth, some of their answers contradicting, some changing entirely. Only one remained the same no matter what.

"A happy life."

-00-

The birth was hard. They'd seen this coming and had made sure she would have the best medics the Kingdom had to offer and yet the risks were still high.

Regis had been in Court when it happened. There would never be a day where he was more grateful to Clarus, who had cut through the meaningless rabble that presided over every meeting and cut straight to the chase so that he could rush to his wife's side sooner rather than later.

He'd gotten there just in time to encourage Aulea through the end of her labor. She lost a lot of blood, and she had passed out the second the little one was born. Regis had felt his heart clench, threatening to tear in half, when the doctor leaned in to check her pupils. While his child was cleaned and cared for, strong wails tearing through the air, Aulea fought to remain with them.

She pulled through by a slim thread. Regis worried that with how many miracles they were getting that a time would come where they would need a miracle more than anything and find none were left.

Still, he could not be anything other than grateful when her grey eyes fluttered open and focused on his face.

"Good morning," he murmured, brushing her sweat-soaked hair back from her forehead.

"M'rning," she mumbled back, weakly reaching out to rest a hand against his cheek.

He leaned into her palm, leaning forward so that their foreheads touched.

"Our b'by," she was barely coherent, voice wavering and broken.

"Healthy and whole. Do you think you can stay awake for just a while longer? They're almost done with him."

"A boy?" she croaked, lips twisting up while her eyelids fluttered.

He hummed a positive, watching the medics around them tracking her vitals. The danger seemed to be passing.

"Ah," he focused on the woman approaching them with a bundle in her arms. "Here he comes now. Can you sit?"

She nodded and he helped her up, supporting her on his shoulder.

He was perfect. A tuft of black hair, matted and barely there but distinct against his tiny head. Small, chubby fingers curled tightly together as though grasping something. He wasn't crying anymore, soft but heavy breaths echoing loudly from his mouth.

"Oh," Aulea breathed, her voice hitching at the end. Regis helped support him as they handed him to her, eyes wide.

"Hello there little one," he greeted warmly.

This. This was worth every pain, every loss, every heartache. This was his son.

The child's face scrunched up, eyes blinking blearily. As his eyelids pulled back, letting the small iris' adjust to the light of the room, both Regis and Aulea felt the smiles fall off their faces. A cold chill traveled up Regis' spine, dread settling like a heavy stone in the bottom of his stomach.

Brilliantly golden eyes peered up at them curiously.

Golden eyes; the Chosen King's Prophet.

"T-this might not be-" Aulea's tears had a sudden, crushing new meaning. "The Chosen King isn't- one hasn't been chosen- he can't-"

"Aulea," Regis cut her off, drawing them both close. "Aulea, the Chosen King has to be of royal blood to use the Ring. If he is the Prophet then he can't be the Chosen King then-"

"Then it's not him," she breathed heavily, desperately staving off her panic attack with deep breaths. "It can't be him then."

"That's right."

"Regis," she fell limp against him, barely having the strength to hold their son so he moved to fully shift the boy to his own arms. "I-I was so scared for a moment."

"I know," he agreed. "I was too."

"Your Majesty, Your Grace," the medics were looking them over worriedly, the main doctor stepping forward. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes," Regis shifted to subconsciously shield his wife and son from view. "Yes, we are just tired."

"Understandably so," the woman ducked her head respectfully. "We will wait for the naming until the two of you have recovered some of your energy then."

"No," Aulea spoke up. "No, we already have a name."

They had spoken at length about the name they would give to their child. It had taken weeks to come to an agreement, and every passing ear had something to contribute to the conversation.

"Their name is-" Aulea suddenly stopped, and odd feeling descending over the couple.

A soft whisper in the back of their mind, guiding them towards a name they had never considered before.

"...Umbra?" They both frowned curiously.

"Umbra?" the woman clarified, just to be sure.

"Yes," Regis shook his head. The name, though new, seemed fitting. The oddness of the situation suddenly lifted, as though it had never been there. Both Aulea and Regis smiled down at their son, unaware of the odd feeling that had passed through them as their son stared back silently.

"Umbra Lucis Caelum."

-00-

"Ravis," Sylva Nox Fleuret reached her hand out to her four-year-old son. "Ravus, come meet your sister."

The blonde boy approached shyly, barely tall enough to peer over the edge of the bed. Sylva used one hand to help him climb up until he was nestled comfortably against his side.

Ravus looked down at the small baby resting in his mother's arms. His father was talking with the doctor so they were alone for the moment.

"Hello baby," he greeted softly, scared to startle the small thing. She looked back at him with startlingly blue eyes. Glancing back at his mother he frowned at how tired she looked. "What's her name?" he asked, hoping to distract her.

"Her name…?" an odd expression passed over her face, brow furrowing. "It's… Pryna." Her face cleared, as though nothing had happened. "Yes, Pryna Nox Fleuret."

Ravus tilted his head. "That's a weird name."

"Ravus," she scolded, only to be interrupted by a small gurgle. The pair looked down to see the newborn baby giving them a wide, toothless grin.

"...I love her," Ravus decided right then and there.

Sylva laughed.

-00-

Four years later Lunafreya Nox Fleuret was born.

Eight years later Noctis Lucis Caelum was born.