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Disclaimer: Final Fantasy Versus XIII (c) Tetsuya Nomura
Claimer: everything else (c) me
Chapter One: Fated Meetings
The young prince Noctis Lucis Caelum was preparing for a grand party that his father was hosting on the top floor of the Caelum building. As the last heir of the Caelum Dynasty, his life was being targeted by many people. But he had seen a strange light during his childhood, and ever since that time, he had been able to use strange, wondrous powers of the crystal. That same crystal lay in the guarded chambers of the Caelum family treasury.
One of his friends, Ignis, was standing by, pushing up his glasses by the bridge before brushing a hand through his light brown hair. "You ready, Noct?" he asked with a sigh. "Your father seems to believe this is a very important party."
"Of course," Noctis responded automatically as he straightened out his designer suit. "We need to make sure that there no problems with the guarding of the crystals, and our enemies are growing day by day. Even though our city is isolated, there's no absolute guarantee that spies haven't infiltrated the city."
"Well, Gladiolus and Prompto are going through the city and checking for bugs," Ignis informed, adjusting the unopened collar of his shirt. "And I will be departing shortly to go and check on the guards defending the crystals. As for you, you will be attending the party and not making a fool of yourself."
Noctis scoffed with a grin. "Who do you think I am?" he teased. "Plus, father would be ashamed of me if that happened."
The strategist shrugged it off lightly. "Either way, I believe your father will be expecting me to have some plans thought up in case any enemy troops should try to invade the city," he sighed. "If you happen to see him, let him know that I'll be done those in a couple of hours."
Noctis nodded. "I'll see you later then," he bid. "Try not to get into any trouble."
Ignis smirked. "Speak for yourself, Noct."
xXx
As guests were all being entertained on the lower floor of the glass-walled penthouse of the building, Noctis went up to the higher floor to go see the famous painting of the Goddess Etro. He had overheard various guests talking, and a popular topic of discussion was the painting that was being displayed on the higher floor.
Well, may as well see what's so great about this painting, he thought.
Upon arrival at the last step, he caught sight of a young woman with long blonde hair in a pure white dress also admiring the painting. At the sound of his footsteps, she turned to look at him, the movement elegant and captivating in a way.
"Are you here to see the painting of the Goddess Etro as well?" she asked softly.
Noctis blinked, suddenly aware that it was he who she was addressing, and replied with a mere nod, too shy to speak, as he feared that something stupid would probably come out of his mouth.
She smiled, looking back up at the painting. "In my country, a legend states that the Goddess Etro greets the souls of the dead, and she opens to them the door to the afterlife," she explained.
"Is that so?" he murmured, following her gaze to the painting hanging before them.
The painting was of a woman wrapped in white, looking as if she were sleeping. White tendrils seemed to be flowing from her, and the painting seemed… as if it was an accurate depiction of a world so much unlike the one they've known.
"Yes," the young woman agreed. "The legend also says that when the door to the afterlife opens, the released souls burst out in a streak of light that ascends to heaven. It is also said though that when those near death are able to see that streak of light, they are given power from the Kingdom of the Dead, bestowed upon them by Etro herself. I myself have seen that light before."
Taking a deep breath, Noctis allowed his brain to process this new information for a moment before he walked over to a leather bench and sat down, the mysterious woman also following along.
"I too, have seen this light before," he admitted quietly. "I guess this means we've both have near-death experiences before in our past, right?"
She nodded, a small smile touching her lips. "By the way, my name's Stella," she greeted, "it's nice to meet you."
He dipped his head in return. "Noctis," he replied curtly.
"Well, Noctis, as pleasant as your company has been," Stella said, "I'm afraid I have to go now. But I'll see you around, I guess."
Noctis dipped his head in farewell as he watched the young blonde leave. From there on, with those thoughts of Etro in mind, Noctis kept a silent demeanour for the rest of the party.
xXx
After the party was finished, Noctis was alone, looking up at the painting of Etro, musing over what Stella had said about being bestowed power from the Kingdom of the Dead. Was it possible that what she was saying had some truth in them? Was it possible that Etro had granted Noctis powers through the very crystal his family had sworn to protect for generations?
"Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum," a ghostly female voice echoed.
In surprise, he looked around, only to find that there was no one there. He could sense that he was the only person in the room, and yet… who was speaking to him?
"Young Prince Caelum," the voice continued, and Noctis came to realize that the voice was coming from the painting. He suddenly noticed there was a faint glow emitting from the painting, and the smoke-like tendrils in the painting were moving ever so slightly, waving from side to side.
"Who are you?" he asked aloud.
"I am known to your people as the Goddess of Death, Etro," she answered mystically. "I speak to you for the sake of delivering a very important message."
His eyes narrowed. "What message?" he demanded. "And what does it have to do with me?"
"Your life is in danger, young prince," she informed. "And soon your country will be the epicentre of a great battle for the last crystal that lies under your family's control. And because of this, to you, Noctis Lucis Caelum, I grant upon you the youngest of the seven Illunis sisters. She is a guardian deity, and if she succeeds in this mission, she will become a paladin guardian alongside her sisters."
Noctis blinked, astounded. In a way, he couldn't help but wonder whether this was all just a dream?
"Her full name is Lunara in Caelo Illunis," the goddess told him.
Lunara of the Moonless Sky, Noctis thought in translation.
The painting's glow did not fade as she continued, "She will be your protector, and perhaps one day you will find her to be someone you want to protect as well. But be warned, Lunara is a guardian deity in human form. Thought she will heal faster than most, she is not immortal. She can still be killed by fatal wounds, so be careful."
Footsteps approached, and a young woman with long, striking silver hair and gorgeous green eyes came towards him and the painting. She was dressed in a long, elegant dark blue dress, complimenting her fit, curvaceous figure.
"Good evening," she greeted, placing a hand on her chest and bowing. At that moment she couldn't help but trip as a result of both her high heels and long dress, stumbling forward for a moment before straightening herself, flushing profusely in embarrassment.
The goddess couldn't help but let out a soft sigh. "Lunara, may I present to you the last heir of the Caelum Dynasty, Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum," she introduced.
Luna smiled at him. "Good evening, Prince Noctis," she said gently, "I am Lunara in Caelo Illunis, but please call me 'Luna'."
"Like yourself, Prince Noctis," Etro added, "Lunara can also use the power of the crystals. That, among other powers, all of which you'll come to discover in time. Lunara, I trust you know your mission, and what the reward is should your mission become successful."
She bowed again, but this time less deep as to prevent herself from tripping. "Yes, my goddess," she agreed. "I will do my best."
"Well then," the voice sighed in content, "Caelum, your father will also be alerted of Lunara's arrival, though I'm sure he probably won't be surprised. Either way, I will leave you two be. For now, farewell."
As the light from the painting faded, both Noctis and Luna could feel that the goddess' presence had disappeared, and they looked at each other.
Not knowing what to say and suddenly feeling extremely self-conscious, the prince quickly looked away. Luna smiling, offering a soft chuckle at his obvious discomfort.
This moment would merely mark the beginning of what would become a blissful, blooming relationship of truth and trust.
Hope you guys liked this chapter! Yes, my OC can kinda be a klutz, but in a way, it's to demonstrate her humanity, so the other characters learn to see her as another person rather than just a "guardian deity". :D
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