"Kings of Lucis," Noctis called, drawing his father's blade before him. "Come to me."
Ethereal figures of blue smoke emerged from the statues surrounding the citadel. One by one, they gathered by the Chosen King. Noctis solemnly bowed his head, humbling himself to the blows of each of his predecessors, including a reluctant final blow from the spirit of his own father.
In that moment, the king found himself in a realm much like the interior of the crystal, where he had first gained its power. Before him was a skinny figure, shaggy purple hair curling to his shoulders underneath a fedora. Ardyn, the Immortal Accursed, chivalrously bowed to Noctis, tipping his hat.
Beside Noctis suddenly appeared images of his three companions, Prompto, Gladiolus, and Ignis, and his father, King Regis. Noctis approached the daemon-faced creature before them. Out of the blue, an image of Lunafreya Nox Fluret appeared, embracing Ardyn's outstretched arm, enveloping it in light. Her former betrothed released the light of the Ring, purging the Starscourge from the once-acclaimed savior of Eos. As Ardyn fell, Noctis himself felt his strength leaving him, paying the price to return light to his kingdom- the price he had come to accept over the previous ten years.
The royal arms he had come to collect with his friends escaped him, returning to the spirits of their original kings, all of whom, at Noctis's command, charged on Ardyn in full force. The deed done, the Chosen King fell, his body disintegrating, and the Ring of the Lucii with him.
It's finally over, he sighed with relief.
Upon the armrest of the king's throne sat a single photograph, one Noctis had saved from Prompto's collection by which to remember his friends and their adventure together. In the shot, he and his retinue stood amidst many friends they had made along the way, posing for a group shot in Cape Caem before Noctis left for Altissia. Taking his seat, Noctis picked up the picture, offering it to the gowned woman beside him: his beloved Lunafreya, as radiant as she had ever been in life. The couple smiled at the photo, then turned to each other. They gazed into each other's eyes for some time, being the first chance they'd had in over a decade. Finally, they came closer to each other, pressing their lips together for the first time.
When they parted, Luna sighed, folding her arms on one side of the throne, resting her head upon them and closing her eyes. Noctis smiled at the slumbering face, resting his chin on one hand, drifting off himself, content to stay there forever to spend his rest.
"You have done well," a booming voice rang out, startling the king awake.
Bahamut, Noctis recognized the voice.
"The Chosen King has fulfilled his calling," the god continued. "And in so doing, has proven himself worthy."
A light shone throughout the firmament, seemingly centered around the throne. With a jolt, Noctis stood, trying in vain to shade his eyes. When he could once again see, the scene around him had changed. In place of the realm he and Luna had shared was a dilapidated throne room, the sad remains of the citadel still strewn about.
"What?" the king gasped. Had he returned to Lucis? Remembering, he turned, crying out, "Luna!"
Right where he had left her lay the young woman, resting on the throne, her chest steadily rising and falling.
"Luna," Noctis kneeled by her side, gently shaking her. Moaning, she slightly turned.
"Please, Ravus," she mumbled. "A few minutes more."
"Luna," Noctis repeated. With that, Luna's eyes opened with a start.
"Noctis?" she gasped, looking around.
"Luna," Noctis laughed, embracing his betrothed. Startled, Luna pulled away.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"We're back," the king replied. "We're in Lucis."
"But how?" Luna took in her surroundings and began to register the truth.
"Bahamut," Noctis answered. "He… he brought us back."
"I can't believe it," a happy tear welled up in the former Oracle's eye. "We can be together. Finally."
"Together," the king pulled his bride closer to him, about to kiss her again, when he saw the pink light outside. "The sun is rising, for the first time in ten years."
"Lucis is no longer in darkness," Luna smiled, leaning back onto Noctis's chest. "Thanks to the King of Light."
"Yeah," he sighed, looking to the horizon. Suddenly, he remembered. "We need to find the guys."
Prompto, Ignis, and Gladio were walking to the gate of the Crown City, the citadel behind them. The friends shared not a word, but walked tall towards Hammerhead, following the orders from their king. As they faced east, Ignis suddenly stopped.
"Iggy?" Prompto asked, concerned.
"This warmth," the blind man replied. "I haven't felt it in a decade, but it's unmistakable."
"The sun," Gladio peered to the horizon. "Noct did it. Dawn breaks over Lucis once more."
"Has to be the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen," one side of Prompto's lip curled down. "Everyone's going to be so happy."
"Yeah," Gladio sighed, crossing his arms.
After several moments, the group was going to move on, when two additional sets of footsteps could be heard behind them.
"Forgive us for barging in on your basking," a voice said. "But I seem to recall someone asking you to walk tall?"
They all turned to face the couple that approached them. None of them could say a word.
"I've already lost my sight," Ignis reminded. "Please tell me my hearing is not going as well."
"Nice to see you again, Specs," the voice teased.
"N-noct," Prompto stuttered. "A-and… Lady Lunafreya?"
"A joke in rather poor taste, don't you think, Prompto?" Ignis scoffed.
"Noct," Gladio exhaled. "It- is that-?"
"Easy there, big guy," Noctis laughed.
"It's really you," Ignis gasped. "But… how? A-and Lady Lunafreya?"
"A pleasure to meet all of you in person," the young woman smiled.
"It's a long story," Noctis added. "In the meantime, there's a lot of rebuilding to be planned. Why don't we get started, Kingsglaive?"
Lead by their liege, the group left Insomnia temporarily to regroup in Hammerhead.
Once the reconstruction was well underway in all regions of Lucis, it was finally time for the formal, public wedding of King Noctis to Lady Lunafreya. The ceremony was held on Galdin Quay, where the sun perfectly glistened against the water. Instead of sunset, the wedding was at sunrise, to commemorate the light that would forevermore shine over Lucis.
It was several months later before the citadel was completely rebuilt. With that, the king could finally officially take his crown. The entire kingdom gathered within the building and without to witness the coronation.
"Presenting," a crier called, silencing the crowd. "Their Royal Highnesses, Prince Noctis and Princess Lunafreya Lucis Caelum."
The doors swung open, revealing the royal couple. With a fanfare, they solemnly proceeded across the red carpet, upstairs to the throne. Noctis stopped just before sitting, Luna just to his right. The bishop took his place behind the throne, a monk beside him, bearing a cushion with the crown.
"Fellow Lucians," the bishop began. "We are here to witness the beginning of a new era of hope for our nation. Today, we crown the Chosen King, so that he may take his rightful place in guiding us all.
"Noctis Lucis Caelum," he continued. "You stand here, in the presence of your people and the Crystal's light. Do you swear to lead this kingdom, guiding it ever forward in the same wisdom and nobility as your fathers before you?"
"By the Crystal's light," Noctis answered, "And with the remainder of the Six as my witness, I solemnly swear so to do."
"In accordance with our laws," the bishop turned, picking up the crown from its cushion and lifting it above Noctis's head. "May this covenant be forged. Henceforth, you shall be known as the one-hundred-and-fourteenth king of Lucis." With that, he placed the crown upon the newly anointed, the monk placing a small tiara on Luna's head, marking her title as princess consort.
Prompto, on security detail while clandestinely taking photos, squirmed where he stood alongside Gladiolus and Ignis. He thought about something for a moment, then shrugged. Cupping his hands around his mouth, he called out, "Long live King Noctis!"
He immediately quieted, afraid he would be reprimanded. Fortunately, though, after only a second's silence, Ignis and Gladio chorused the sentiment. Soon, the entire hall was filled with raucous applause and shouts of, "Long live King Noctis!"
Once the buzz had died down, Noctis took another step forward to address his subjects.
"People of Lucis," he began. "Words cannot express how honored and blessed I am to stand here before you. Countless nights of endless suffering have lead to this day. I promise every Lucian that those days will not have been in vain. As I vowed here today, I will lead Lucis into a new age of light and prosperity. We will be a proud, strong nation once again. Aeternum Lucis!"
"Aeternum Lucis!" the crowd chorused. And so officially began the reign of Noctis Lucis Caelum CXIV.
Reconstruction progressed steadily over the next few years, from the far off lands of Ravatogh to the Crown City itself. As the nation grew, so did the families within it.
"Natalie, you come back this instant, young lady!" Lunafreya called after a little dark-haired girl one day, chasing her down a hall. The child had escaped her mother in an attempt to evade taking a bath.
"You can't catch me, Mama," little Nat teased, looking behind her.
"But I can," another voice rang out, its owner scooping up the little girl.
"Awww, Daddy," she giggled.
"If there's one thing I learned when I was your age," Noctis said, playfully tweaking his daughter's nose. "It's that there's no escaping bathtime."
"Probably the most wise thing I've ever heard you say," Luna teased, taking Nat from her husband's arms.
"I don't wanna bath," the girl pouted.
"Even if it means you get to play with your rubber chocobo?" her mother challenged.
"Well…" Nat acted as if she were considering it.
"And," her father added. "You know Mr. Moogle wouldn't be too happy sleeping next to someone who isn't clean, now, don't you?" If Nat's favorite plush animal didn't tip the scales, nothing would.
"I guess not," she finally relented.
"Then it's off to the tub," Luna smiled, mouthing a thank you as she turned to walk off.
With a mock salute, Noctis turned to rejoin his meeting with the leaders of the Kingsglaive. There had been peace since his ascension, but the king of course still met regularly with his swords, as well as his shields. Walking in, he was met with several amused grins from the officers. Formal business had been concluded before Noctis left, however, so the remainder of the meeting was mostly a bull session.
"Finally caught up to little Nat, huh?" Prompto teased.
"Yep," Noctis nodded, taking his seat. "I think she's finally coming to realize that bathtime isn't a bad thing."
"Would that I could teach that lesson to Elizabeth," Ignis lamented. "Her mother and I have been less than successful, however."
"Cindy threatens Susie with no bedtime stories," Prompto suggested.
"Anne gets ten minutes less playtime whenever she disobeys me or Erin," Gladio added. "She's not really one for fairy tales."
"Can you believe it?" Noctis laughed. "Several years ago, we were fighting MTs and daemons, and now we're discussing raising our daughters."
"It does feel surreal," Ignis agreed.
"If I'm dreaming," Prompto interjected. "Then no one ever pinch me."
"Indeed," Ignis smiled contentedly. "We've all certainly been blessed."
They continued to make light conversation over several rounds of poker, using cards with raised print that Prompto had found in Lestallum so Ignis could join in. Before the four knew it, another hour and a half had passed.
"On that note," Prompto stood. "I'd better be getting home. Night, all."
"See you, Prompto," Noctis partly waved.
"We'd all best call it a night," Ignis stood as well. "Monica will begin to wonder."
"Night, you guys," the king smiled, watching as his friends departed, standing himself afterwards to join Luna in their chamber.
"How was the 'meeting?'" she teased, already turning the covers.
"It went really well," he grinned, kissing his wife. He retained a small smile as he undressed and changed into bedclothes.
"Someone's in a good mood," Luna noted.
"Yeah," Noctis nodded. "I was just thinking… we were talking about how blessed we are. We're alive, we each have a wonderful family, our country is well on its way to thriving again… Makes me want to make sure I take nothing for granted."
"I couldn't agree more." his wife put her arms around his neck, kissing him before they both went to bed.