This chapter is a bit short, I apologize, but nonetheless I hope you enjoy it. We get to see a little bit of Luna.

I'd like to try and keep a strict update schedule for myself of every Tuesday with this (very random day I know)

And since it can be a sensitive thing for many people, a physical abuse trigger warning here.

Chapter 2

"Noctis," a voice called. The Prince groaned, burying his face deeper into his pillow. His sleeping bag was far too comfortable, despite the hard ground beneath his back. Sleep was calling him louder than this obnoxious voice. "Noctis!" a little louder, but still far quieter than the voice of his pillow singing him a lullaby. "Damnit Noct! Get up" Noctis was finally fully awoken by Gladiolus's gruff voice, and fully jerked from sleep as he was pulled out of his tent.

"What the hell?" he complained, struggling not to fall once the shield let go of his wrist. He looked around him, annoyed to find it was still the early dawn hours. "It's barely morning! Let me go back to sleep," he mumbled,

"After yesterday I figured you could use a little training," was the very unwelcome answer

"Then get the others up too. They were just as pathetic as me. And I didn't see you take out that pack of sabers by yourself!" he snapped defensively, feeling grumpy from such a rude awakening. He rubbed at his eyes, trying to get his blurry vision to focus. "Can't I at least eat first and have a little coffee to wake myself up?"

"Train at your worst, and you'll be stronger at your best," Gladiolus recited, almost sounding like Ignis for a moment.

"You're not gonna let me sleep or eat until I agree to this, are you?" Noctis asked, voice slurring as his words dissolved into a yawn,

"Damn right. Now, follow me. And take your shoes off," he explained, and began to walk away from the camp down towards the shore.

"Why my shoes?"

"You'll see," the shield answered, and refused to answer any more of the Prince's questions. He protested against this gruff treatment, again inquiring as to why the others weren't being put through the ringer. This question went ignored as the large man explained what he had in mind to train his charge.

"Running on sand is very hard, and even harder barefoot. You beat me to that dock over there," he pointed to the fishing dock where Noctis had caught their dinner the night before, "and I'll let you get back to sleep. If I beat you, then you agree to a sparring match,"

"If it'll get you off my case…" Noctis reluctantly agreed. Gladiolus confirmed he was ready before initiating a countdown. On his mark Noctis burst into a sprint, and was immediately surprised by how difficult it was to try and sprint on sand while barefoot. He wasn't kidding! He was determined not to lose this race. The last thing he wanted was to have to spar with Gladiolus this early in the morning. Being covered in bruises was not high on his to-do list at dawn. Come on body… just survive this.. survive this and we can sleep he pleaded with his protesting limbs. Whether it was his own desperation, or Gladiolus taking it easy on him, by some miracle of the Six he made it to the dock hardly three footsteps ahead of his shield.

"Well, I guess sleep is a good bribe. I'll have to keep that in mind," Gladiolus laughed, watching Noctis double over, panting for breath. "We'll have to do this more often! Look at you!" he chided, tisking at the young Prince. "One little jog and you're completely winded. I guess I've been taking it too easy on you,"

"Cut me a break man… you yank me outta my tent and have me go sprinting across a beach barefoot without even giving me a chance to wake up!" he replied defensively. "Now, can I go back to bed?" he asked,

"A deal's a deal," he agreed. "But don't think I'm gonna let it go how bad that hunt went," he threatened, getting a dismissive wave from Noctis who staggered back towards camp, pulling himself into his tent, too tired to care that his feet were covered in sand, meaning soon his sleeping bag would be too.

The second attempt to rouse the prince later that morning was far easier, the young man reluctantly emerging from his tent after his name was called the first time. Ignis had eggs-in-the basket cooking on his cast iron skillet, and the smell of coffee was a divine welcome to his groggy mind.

"You're my savior Iggy," he praised, dropping himself into his camp chair as the adviser handed him a cup filled with the black liquid. "We have any sugar?" he inquired.

"Not much, but here," Ignis held out two sugar packets, which Noctis accepted gratefully and poured them into his coffee, wishing they had creamer as well but doubted their short trip had merited packing such supplies.

"Sleep well?" he asked,

"Like a babe," Prompto interrupted, sipping his own coffee.

"I would have too, if the Ox over there didn't decide a race at dawn was fun," Noctis added, rolling his eyes,

"How did this race go?" Ignis's question was absentminded, not giving the impression that he cared much what the answer was. Noctis described the race, and his lucky win, admitting that he had a feeling Gladiolus let him win. The shield held his tongue on this subject, but told his other two friends he hadn't forgotten about their poor performance during the sabertusk hunt.

"Don't think you're getting away so easily," he warned Prompto. "You're up next,"

"Gonna race me too? You know I'm way faster than you man, these skinny legs are fast," Prompto bragged, slapping his thigh,

"No. You're going to spar with me," he insisted.

"That's it? We've done that a hundred times!"

"Not so fast there, dial it back until you let me finish," Gladiolus threatened. "You're going to do it with earplugs in. You nearly deafen Noct, you're gonna spar me deaf," he explained, fishing a pair of plugs out of his bag, "I always have some with me. It's the only way I can get some sleep with your incessant snoring," he continued.

"I'm not putting those in my ears! I don't want your earwax, you can keep it. Make a candle out of it or something," Prompto fought back, wrinkling his nose. "Sparring I'll do. Sharing earwax… not so much…" Gladiolus moved far quicker than a man his size had any right to move, grabbing Prompto's collar and forcing a pair of earplugs into his hand, telling him sharing earwax would be the last of his problems if he didn't put them in. He followed up the earplugs with some gauze and tape from Ignis's first aid kit, must to the man's chagrin, before deciding he was satisfied. He asked the photographer if he could hear him, getting annoyed gestures in return which told the man he had indeed accomplished his task. Properly handicapped, Gladiolus withdrew his greatsword, and gestured to the engine blade Noctis was holding out. Both his guns and machines were too dangerous for a sparring match, and the Shield figured fighting deaf with an unfamiliar weapon would provide enough of a challenge that Prompto would never forget basic firearm safety again.

Prompto was hardly given time to gather his bearings when Gladuolus charged him, the smaller man lifting the engine blade with only just enough time to deflect the opening blow. He was knocked off balance by the impact, and immediately felt disoriented by not be able to use his ears to figure out where Gladiolus was. Until it was stripped from him, he had underestimated how important his hearing was to a fight. He turned, rolling out of the way of a second blow and scrambled to his feet, lifting the blade and swinging it at Gladiolus, but his thrust was quickly deflected, nearly knocking it from his hand but he managed to maintain his grip and his stance, bringing it up a second time. They continued their awkward dance, Prompto finding himself knocked to the ground more times than he could count, and he began to promise himself he would glue the grossest picture he could take into his books for every bruise he found on himself later.

"Okay okay, point made! I won't deafen anyone again!" Prompto shouted after the engine blade was knocked out of his hand once again, and Gladiolus sent him crashing to the ground with a kick to the back of his left knee. "I give I give!" He was shouting, unable to control the volume of his voice adequately. Gladiolus was smirking at him, and he was sure Noctis and Ignis were laughing at him. He freed his ears and began rubbing at them madly, glaring at the hand his friend was offering to help him stand. He ignored it, getting up on his own, groaning with the effort. "Did you really have to go that hard on me?" he complained, rolling one shoulder while he massaged it with his free hand. Noctis collected his engine blade, the weapon vanishing in a blue flash, before handing Prompto a potion. "Thanks Noct," he panted after chugging the drink in one go, giving a loud belch from the bubbles in the energy drink it had been crafted from.

"Yes I did have to go that hard on you," Gladiolus insisted. "You understand now why firing your gun so close to Noct's head was one of the dumbest things I've ever seen you do?"

"Yes, it was dumb, but c'mon man, be real, you've seen me do far stupider," Prompto joked, feeling refreshed from the potion, the deep ache in his joints vanishing.

"Yeah, true," Noctis answered, "actually, blowing out my eardrum is probably not even in the top ten!" the photographer glared at the Prince, and had half a mind to tackle him to the ground but he had no desire to endure another fight after the epic ass-beating he received at Gladiolus's hand.

"Okay now Ignis's turn, don't want him to feel left out!" he offered, responding to Ignis's agitated glare with a broad grin, giving him two thumbs up, to which Ignis gave one finger in reply. "Oh, that's not very proper for the Prince's adviser! Not very diplomatic of ya!"

"I did not nearly deafen a member of royalty," he pointed out, but this only caused Gladiolus to glare at him, to which Ignis responded with a very confused expression, "You're not suggesting-"

"Training for you too? Bet your ass specs. Now get your swim trunks on, you're racing me in the water."

"I did not pack any. I abhor swimming," the man answered with a smug smile,

"Then borrow a pair of Prompto's shorts, you're about as scrawny as him, and get your ass down to the water or I'll drag you down there in your current clothes,"

"If you think for one moment-" his voice was cut off as Gladiolus picked up in a fireman's carry over his shoulder, and began to stalk down towards the water as the man began cursing aloud, and bitterly agreed to a swimming race. He absolutely detested swimming. Public pools smelled of chlorine and left him feeling wretched, and natural bodies of water were even worse. Fresh water was filled with sediment, living creatures, and the Six know what else. The ocean of course left him coated in salt. His skin was crawling at the mere thought. He hoped Gladin Quay would have a shower they would allow him to use without charging an exorbitant room rental fee for the privilege. It took nearly every thread of his willpower to change into a clean pair of Prompto's shorts, and follow the Shield to the water. He grimaced at it, knowing that the clarity was an illusion. He would emerge from this misguided venture with offended skin. Despite his hatred for the activity, he surprised Gladiolus with his competence. He lost the race, but managed to not drown, or look like a frantic child in the water. His strokes were inefficient, but his friend admired the effort.

"You're full of surprises. For someone who says they hate swimming, you looked like you at least know how,"

"Using my hatred of swimming as an excuse never to learn would have been fool-hearty. Even I can attest to the necessity of learning how not to drown. Are you satisfied now?"

"I'm done torturing you," Gladiolus relented. Ignis stated his intentions to plead with the Galdin Quay staff for access to a shower, assuring Gladiolus he would reunite with the retinue shortly. He nearly told Gladiolus he would inquire how Coctura's night went, but held his tongue in fear of another revenge swimming lesson to further curse him. While he understood the need for some training to highlight their sorry state as Noctis's protectors, why swimming of all things? He promised himself to find a way to get revenge eventually, and began to roll various ridiculous scenarios in his mind as he walked to the quay.

A light breeze disturbed the curtains framing the open window of the bedroom that served as a prison to the Oracle. The young blonde woman sat in an armchair, enjoying the relief from the summer heat with a book. A white dog rested beside her chair, sleeping soundly. The breeze was providing a much needed reprieve from the unusually warm air, and she was lamenting that she couldn't be outside in the Sylleblossum field to enjoy it. A small yap drew her from her reading, a smile lighting her face as a small black dog trot into the room bearing a green scarf. She smiled at the dog, placing a small tassel into her book before setting it on the table before her so she could stand and walk over to greet the canine. She knelt down before him, scratching his ears straining to contain her excitement. She pulled the notebook from the green scarf, flipping it open to the latest page. She couldn't restrain a chuckle at the sticker Noctis had chosen, her fingertips tracing it before her thumb brushed over the dry ink of Noctis's distinctly messy handwriting.

Soon we won't have to wait so long to see each other. I miss you too.

She was set to depart for Altissia the next morning, the wedding set to happen in two weeks' time. Six long months since she had seen him; the thought alone was almost painful enough to sting her eyes. She needed this. The scourge was growing harder and harder to keep at bay. She felt as if the days were shorter than they once were when she was a child. No matter how many she healed, there were so many more infected with the blight coming to her for aid. She could hear talk amongst the Empirical soldiers about dire situations back in Nifleheim. Many a day she feared she would be taken from Tenebrae to try and purge Nifleheim. Together we'll finally cure our star. She thought. A loud knocking on her door jarred her from her thoughts.

"Just a moment." She called. She stood, and quickly shoved her notebook under her bed's mattress, intending to hide it properly later. She walked over to the door and opened it, trying not to flinch as she saw the imposing form of Caligo Uldor. She felt her heart begin to race in her chest, fingertips going numb as she looked up into his brown eyes. He smiled at her, nudging her aside as he entered her room,

"My Lady Lunafreya… how are you this fine evening? Unseasonably warm, is it not?" He inquired.

"Quite. I am well, sir. Yourself?" her words a mere formality. She shut her bedroom door, eyes tracking him as he turned his back on her to walk to where she had been sitting before the window, picking up the book she had been reading.

"We both know you care little for my wellbeing." He answered. Silence provided her answer, the hair on her arms prickling. He flipped her book over to look at the back. "Fond of fantasy are we?" he asked her, and she gave him a curt nod in reply. He placed it back down on the table and turned back to her, walking up to her. "Excited for the wedding?" he inquired.

"I am happy to do my part to bring about peace." She stated simply.

"And to an old childhood friend. Curious." He answered. She hardly had the time to flinch as she saw him move, his gauntlet impacting the side of her chest with enough strength to force the air from her, knocking her down to the floor. She clutched at her ribs, gaping for air as she strained to recapture her breath. Pain erupted down her side, radiating through her stomach and for a moment she feared she would turn her most recent meal onto the floor. She felt fingers in her hair, jerking her neck back to force her face to level with his, "Do not think for one moment that your union to this Lucian Prince changes things Lunafreya… this marriage is merely a means to an end. Insomnia's walls cannot stand for much longer, it was inevitable for the Lucian and Fleuret lines to be united under the banner of Nifleheim. But you are still the Empire's Oracle." His voice ground out. His fist struck her side again, this time finally forcing her to cry out. "A gift for the Prince to find on your wedding night." He let go of her hair, and she dropped to the floor, clutching at her side struggling for breath. She heard him walk to the other side of the room, and she failed to control her flinch as he approached her again, and her book slapped against the floor a palm-length from her face. "Do enjoy the rest of your story." She heard his footsteps retreat, her bedroom door open and shut, leaving her with only her own gasps.

Lunafreya felt a pair of noses push against her, and she opened her eyes to find both her dogs had trotted over to her. She tried to smile at them, reaching out to give them each a quick pat in turn. She groaned, using one hand to help herself sit up, the other still clutched tightly around her chest. It took several minutes for her to feel like her breathing was close to normal and stood, wincing at the sharp pain in her side. She reached for her fallen book, and slowly got back to her feet. Sure that her smarting ribs would protest the offense of trying to sit upright in a chair, she decided to lie down in bed. She placed the book she was reading on her pillow, and knelt to the floor so she could reach under the mattress to fetch her notebook without having to crouch. She sat on her heels for a moment, her fingers brushing the aged cover of the object. It was not their first notebook, it having been filled many years ago and stowed away somewhere she knew the empire could never rob it, or the others, from her. She gave herself a moment to gather her willpower and stood, inhaling sharply through her teeth. With deliberate movements she climbed into her bed, straining back a cry of pain and settled against her pillows with a groan of relief, closing her eyes as she tried to relax her tense muscles.

"Soon the Oracle and the Chosen King shall unite." A gentle whisper of a voice found her ears from across the room. Lunafreya opened her eyes and saw Gentiana walking towards her with smooth graceful steps, her hands hidden in her sleeves. "And united they shall join with the Six to purge their star of the Scourge." She continued, stopping her approach when she was beside the young woman's bed. Her gaze met the ebony haired messenger's.

"It is time to awaken the Six..." She replied, her heart began to race when she realized what the messenger of the Six was telling her. She would never shy away from her duty, her destiny. But now it was time for Noctis to bear this burden, and she wasn't sure she was ready to see this strain put onto his shoulders. She pondered if she should travel to awaken the Six alone, and allow Noctis to forge his covenants at his own pace. No. The Starscourge must be stopped. We are destined to do this together.

"The Oracle and her King must rise to their calling." Her King. She felt a tug of emotion at the words, of the thought that she could soon call Noctis hers.

"As husband and wife." She answered in a whisper, her thumbs brushing against the notebook in her hands.

"Alas… the messenger fears the wedding will not occur. Blight has warped the mind of the Emperor. The Oracle and her King must flee the floating city. Lucis. This is where you shall find Ramuh. Find him. Awaken him. The Chosen must face his trial." The words drained the color from Lunafreya's face as her eyes locked on Gentiana's.

"The wedding… is a trap?" she questioned, fear rising in her heart. She looked down at her hands for a moment, imagining Noctis sliding a ring on her finger and forced the thoughts away. She looked back up to find only two dogs sitting at her bedside. She frowned, worrying her bottom lip as she beckoned them onto the bed. They leapt up, curling close to her causing her to whine as they tried to settle next to her chest. She shifted slowly in the bed, biting back a cry. She pushed them gently away from her side, and the dogs resettled closer to her hips while she sat back against the pillows and opened her notebook, rereading the lines Noctis wrote to her and trying to find the hope inside of them.

So the game removed much of Luna's backstory for being "too dark" and I decided to put some of that darkness back in.