Of Life and Light
Game: Final Fantasy XV
Rating: M+
Pairing: Gladiolus Amicitia X Original Character
Romance X Adventure
Disclaimer: All rights and characters belong to Square Enix and Hajime, Tabata along with Tetsuya, Nomura. The original character in the story is the only thing that I own.
Summary: Under orders from King Regis to head out and accompany Prince Noctis, and his friends on their way to Altissia to meet with Lady Lunafreya Nox Fleuret for his wedding; Nai'lia Khristia a member of the Crownsguard heads out on the mission she is given by the king. What awaits this young Crownsguard member? Read and find out.
Author's Note: The story is an alternate universe, but it follows along with the main storyline of the game. I wanted to introduce the original character, Nai'lia Khristia into the story. In the game Monica speaks about the Crownsguard, but only she and Dustin along with Marshal Cor Leonis made it out of Insomnia with Iris Amictitia after the fall. Nai'lia is the marshal's adopted daughter in this.
You'll learn more about Nai'lia's background in the later chapters, but if you have any questions I'll be glad to answer them.
GoddessofWisdom2018
Chapter 1: Under Orders
Hammerhead Outpost - 12:00 PM
A sleek motorcycle pulls into the gas station, and a young woman who looked to be in her early twenties removed her helmet looking around with a serious look on her face. Her waist length black hair was pulled back into a tight braid that hung over right shoulder; her piercing blue eyes were what stood out the most about her, she was small for her age standing at only 5'2" with a medium build, but she had an air of authority about her that demanded respect. She was wearing a standard black Crownsguard outfit, the color that's only associated with the royal family. The outfit she was wearing consisted of a trenchcoat; along with a black tank top, pants, and fingerless gloves all of which were made from faux leather, and a pair of combat boots completed the look. You could tell right off that she was Galahdian due to the small tribal tattoo under her left eye, and a pair of razor sharp dual blades that she had on her at all times. She was somebody that you wouldn't want to mess with, if you know what's good for you that is.
She saw Cindy outside the garage speaking with her grandfather Cid about business, but paid no attention to them and got off the motorcycle. She made her way towards Takka's Pit Stop, and headed inside looking for information on the prince's current location. Looking up from where he was wiping down the counter, Takka welcomed her and she nodded at him in acknowledgement. Slowly making her way over to where he was, she sat down in front of him when she arrived, and he asked her what he could do for her once she was sitting down.
"What can I do for you?" He asked with a serious look on his face noticing that she had an air of authority about her. She took out her cellphone and began to type a message out on it; once she was done she held it up for Takka to read.
My name is Nai'lia Khristia, a member of the Crownsguard. This is the only form of communication I use due to what happened to me when I was younger. I don't want to go into detail about it anytime soon. Right now I'm here on Crownsguard business. I'm under orders from the king to meet up with the prince, and accompany him to Altissia along with his friends for his wedding to Lady Lunafreya Nox Fleuret. Do you know where he is?
Takka nodded to show he got the message she was conveying through a text, and started explaining to her how Prince Noctis had left out for Galdin Quay two days prior to her arrival in Hammerhead. Him and his three friends had to run an errand for Cindy Aurum, Cid's granddaughter while Cid worked on the Regalia in the garage. He also told her that the prince had a hand in locating a hunter named Dave, after Prince Noctis and the others had dealt with the reaper tails for Cindy. They had to take out a small group of sabertusks that had surrounded an old builing that the hunter had taken up refuge in after spraining his ankle, and then were tasked by Dave to take down a dual horn known as the "Blood Horn" for him; during his explantion he had found time to hand over a map to Nai'lia of the area, and give her directions on how to get to there directly from Hammerhead.
Thank you, Takka. I'll be on my way now.
She typed into her phone once more showing it to him. He nodded watching her as she put it away, and headed outside to where she had parked her motorcycle. Picking up her helmet off the seat and putting it back on, she got back on her motorcycle after fueling it up with gas and paying for it at the Mini Mart. She pulled out of the gas station five minutes later leaving Hammerhead behind and heading to Galdin Quay. Once she had left and was back on the road again, Nai'lia started making her way to meet up with the prince and his friends, who had arrived at the seaside resort two days prior to her departure from Insomnia.
Twenty minutes into her drive it was starting to heat up so she stopped in at the Crow's Nest Diner that was located at the Longwythe Rest Area, which was still over an hour and a half drive away from the seaside resort of Galdin Quay. After she had parked her motorcycle in a parking space in front of the diner she heard her phone go off so she took it out of her back pants pocket, and proceeded to unlock it; noticing who it was that was contacting her she opened up the message and immediately replied to it.
N. Khristia: Marshal, what is it?
Marshal C. Leonis: Khristia, did you locate the prince?
N. Khristia: Yes, Marshal. He and his friends are in Galdin Quay, sir.
Marshal C. Leonis: Good job, Khristia. You have your orders; meet up with the prince, and accompany him and his friends to Altissia.
N. Khristia: Understood, sir.
Once she had sent the message to the marshal, she put away her phone shielding her eyes against the glare of the sun with her hand. Running her other hand through her hair that had come undone, she got off her motorcycle and headed inside the diner to order lunch. Ten minutes later found Nai'lia sitting in a booth with a steaming plate of Kenny's fries sitting in front of her, and an ice cold Jetty's set off to the side along with the map of the area that she was given back in Hammerhead. Taking a small bite out of one of her fries once they had cooled down some she thought about the meeting she had had earlier that day with King Regis, and closed her eyes going over it while it was still fresh on her mind.
Flashback
Making her way to the throne room to meet with King Regis, Nai'lia walked next to the Marshal listening to him intently as he explained to her about the prince's departure from Insomnia two days ago for his wedding to Lady Lunafreya Nox Flueret in Altissia. Nodding in acknowledgement she had a stoic look on her face; she'd heard about the envoy from Niflheim that had spoken with the king about terms of peace between Insomnia and the Niflheim Empire from her friends in the Kingsglaive the day before.
Once they'd both arrived at the throne room five minutes later, they entered and bowed to the king waiting for him to speak. King Regis acknowledged them dismissing the council members from where he sat on the throne. Once all of the council members had left he told them that they could rise, and motioned for Nai'lia to step forth, and she did so walking up to the dais standing at attention before her king with her arms behind her back.
"Nai'lia Khrishia, as you've heard, Niflheim has come forth with terms of peace to end the war between us. To ensure that Insomnia remains unharmed, I am to relinquish all lands outside of the Crown City to the empire, and see my son wed to the Oracle, Lady Lunafreya Nox Fleuret of Tenebrae." The king began to speak with authority, but his eyes were filled with an emotion that Nai'lia couldn't place as he looked down on her from where he sat on the throne with a serious look on his face.
"You are to set forth from Insomnia, meet with Prince Noctis and his friends, and accompany them to Altissia for his wedding. I've already had Commander Drautos send out one of the Kingsglaive to meet with the Oracle, and see her safely to Altissia." He finished with an air of finality about him. Nai'lia bowed her head to show that she understood, and turned around to leave the throne room and head back to her quarters to pack her bags.
Back in the throne room with King Regis and Cor Leonis, they were discussing his external assignment to protect the population of Insomnia. During their discussion Clarus Amicitia, the King's Shield had joined them twenty minutes later and began to go over the preparations for Emperor Aldercapt's arrival in the Crown City for the signing of the peace treaty between Niflheim and Insomnia.
End Flashback
Having finished off her plate of Kenny's fries, and her second bottle of ice cold Jetty's, Nai'lia stood up from where she sat in the booth and went to pay for her meal. Once it had been paid for she headed outside, and walked over to the vendor next to the diner to stock up on curatives, and other supplies that she'd need on the road. 'That should be it for the moment.' She thought to herself and went over the list once again in her mind to be sure she had what she needed.
'Do not forget your true calling, young one. Continue to grow stronger, and when that day comes for you to fulfill it, you will fulfill it without question.' She heard an older woman's voice
informing her of her duty that she was tasked with, and she closed her eyes answering back in tongue.
'Intelligendum fiet.' She stated in a serious voice running a hand swiftly through her hair once again before getting back on her bike. Ever since she was younger Nai'lia could hear a woman's voice calling out to her in her mind, and later found out who it was when she was older. It was the Goddess Etro herself who was calling out to her, and she soon learned that it was by her grace that she survived that day her family was murdered when she was eight years old.
'You've come a long way, but you still have much to learn. You already know what you need to do, but be warned you must never allow anyone to learn about who you truly are.' The voice continued to inform her in a serious voice as she got back on the road making her way to Galdin Quay. Nai'lia sighed in frustration and told Etro that she understood, and that was the last she heard from the goddess that day.
Galdin Quay: 2:00 P.M.
Having arrived in Galdin Quay, Nai'lia saw the Regalia parked in one of the resorts parking spaces; she pulled in next to it and parked before shutting off the engine and getting off her motorcycle. She looked around the resort seeking out the prince and his friends, and when she spotted them heading her way; she started making her way towards them, it was Ignis Scientia who was the first to spot her and a serious look appeared on his face. The prince and the other two followed suit, and looked over at Ignis looking for answers, but he shook his head and walked towards Nai'lia while his friends followed behind him at a distance.
"Can we help you?" He asked her in a serious voice, and watched as she nodded and pulled out her phone. She then began to type out a message, and once she was done she held it out for him to read.
I'm under strict orders from the king to accompany the prince to Altissia for his wedding. Please do not ask me why I'm using my phone to communicate with you, I don't wish to discuss it.
Ignis looked up once he had finished reading the message, and took the phone from her showing it to Prince Noctis and the other two for them to read. While he was doing this Nai'lia stood at attention with her arms behind her back, and had a serious look on her face waiting on them to finish discussing what they were going to do. Five minutes later Ignis and the others were in agreement, and they informed Nai'lia that they got the message watching her nod in acknowledgement.
Once Nai'lia had grabbed her bags from her motorcycle, and had checked in at the resort she met up with Prince Noctis and the others at the Mother of Pearl restaurant for lunch. After everyone had ordered their lunch, and were seated around the bar eating and talking with Coctura, Prince Noctis looked over at Nai'lia whom was sitting next to Ignis and Gladio eating her meal and asked her what her name was. She looked up from her plate of Steamed Crab with Rock Salt, and over at the prince before pulling her phone out once more and typing out another message on it.
My name is Nai'lia Khristia, Your Highness.
Was the message that had been typed out on her phone, and he nodded and handed it back to her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Nai'lia Khristia." Prince Noctis stated with a smile on his face. "I'm looking forward to traveling with you to Altissia." The others had finished their meals, and were now paying attention to what was going on between their prince and the Crownsguard member. Prompto threw his arm around Noctis' shoulder giving Nai'lia a huge smile agreeing with his friend, Ignis had a small smile on his face too, but Gladio was the only one who wasn't smiling; he was finding it hard to accept Nai'lia's presence, it didn't bode well with him.
Once everyone had finished their meals, and had paid they spoke with Coctura about taking on some hunts, and she thanked them before they left and set out to complete the hunts they taken on. By the time night had fallen, and the hunts were completed everyone was ready to turn in for the night, but not before they had turned in their bounty to Coctura and received their payment. They were all covered in small cuts and bruises here and there; some more so than others, but their hunts had been successful and they all got back a decent amount of gil for them as a reward.
"Goodnight Nai, we'll see you in the morning!" Prompto exclaimed in a cheerful voice and waved at her before throwing his arm over the prince's shoulder, and dragging him to their room where Gladio had headed once they had turned in the bounty. That just left her and Ignis now, and he motioned for her to join him. She nodded and followed him out onto the pier, and they both gazed up at the night sky.
"Today has been a long day for all us, but tomorrow we'll set sail for Altissia for the prince's wedding to Lady Lunafreya. A man named Dino Ghiranze is organizing for a ship to take us there, but in return we had to hunt down a certain gem for him in exchange of his service." Ignis informed her as they both continued to gaze up at the night sky in companionable silence.
It was starting to get late and he excused himself, making his way back to the hotel room where he and the others were staying the night. Nai'lia watched him as he went, but was stopped in her tracks before she could to do the same herself. Images started to appear in her mind at an alarming rate, and she had to lean against the railing for support. The Crown City of Insomnia was being invaded by Niflheim. She saw the explosions that went off outside the citadel followed by the fight that took place in the treaty room. The treaty was nothing but a ruse so that the king would lower the wall; allowing them to invade the Crown City and take the crystal that lies behind the safety of its walls.
Watching as the king was struck down at the hands of General Glauca angered her, but she couldn't do anything about it due to her being with Prince Noctis and his friends. How could she tell them that their home had fallen into the hands of the Niflheim Empire, and that along with the crystal being taken the king was dead? Pushing away from the railing she made her way back to her own room, collapsing onto her bed and wept for the loss of her king, and the fall of Insomnia.
'This is why he ordered me to accompany the prince. He knew that this was about to happen.' She thought to herself falling asleep with unshed tears in her eyes.
Author's Note: This chapter for "Of Life and Light" is completed. Let me know how it turned out, and if you have any questions I'll answer them for you. The next chapter will be focused around chapter two of the game, but it will be around a week or two before it's up.
Translations:
"Intelligendum fiet" is Latin for "Understood, it will be done."
GoddessofWisdom2018