A/N: Hello. I realized I forgot to mention a few things about Stella. In this story, there'll be central plot points that would help mold her to have a later confrontation with Noctis. Whether it's good or bad, I'll never tell. And also, Stella will be voiced by Alyson Stoner in this one as when I watched the trailer between her and Noctis, she sounded a little bit like her in my opinion.

Chapter 2: Dissension in the Kingdoms

At the Royal House of Tenebrae, Luna's lady-in-waiting was walking towards the princess herself. Her mistress is carrying a suitcase ready for transportation as she walked down the stairs in a coat.

"Lady Lunafreya, I have left the rear gate open."

"Thank you."

While Stella and Ravus were training in Niflheim, Luna and her lady-in-waiting had conspired to leave her home as soon as possible. And it was for good reason: to fulfill her destiny, one way or another. The singular reason for this was because she, as an Oracle, found out the future that was to befall her and Noctis in particular. And a few certain key memories in her youth played along in that hand as well.

When they were little, as Regis carted Noctis to the Fleuret's palace, Luna could see that Noctis wasn't quite in high spirits. And so, she tried to engage in conversation with him to take his mind off his current predicament.

"I... understand you must be pressured, but... if the gods gave you this fate... it's just meant to be. They wouldn't give you this if they thought you couldn't bear it. You know, to crown the King of Light... it's the calling of the crystal. Only the true King anointed by the crystal can purge our star of its scourge."

Upon hearing this story, the young Noctis recalled what his father, Regis, told him that he was fated to do, though he found cold comfort from it. Quite frankly, hearing it from his father, it sounded like a heavy responsibility that he didn't feel he could bear. But hearing it from Luna, Noctis felt as though he was given the strength to carry that burden, if only by her smile and support.

"And I'm the chosen...? I guess I can do it. I won't let you down."

Seeing how successful she was in making Noctis happy, Luna smiled at him as she walked with Regis and Noctis.

"I know you won't."

Unfortunately, Luna could not say the same about herself. As she and the Royal Family ran off, Luna could not be able to catch up with them and the best she could do to help Noctis was to stay under Niflheim rule, much to the sadness of the latter as he called out to her.

"Luna!"

As Luna could not bear those memories anymore, she went to her lady-in-waiting, the latte expressed concern for her mistress.

"Must you go?"

"Yes."

At that moment, they heard the door open, as well as some footsteps, thus panicking the lady-in-waiting enough to go along with this.

"Then go quickly."

However, it was too late as the Magitek troopers stopped in front of her as Ravus and Stella stepped forward, surprising her as the former spoke.

"I do not recall granting you permission to leave your quarters, Lunafreya."

"Ravus. Stella."

As the latter held her head down in shame, being seen in Niflheimian uniform, Luna could tell she was disheartened, but she didn't quite know why. Little did she know at first that the moment Stella looked at her, her irises turned red, something she was barely able to hide just in time by looking down.

In Stella's vision, she began seeing her fighting a dark, shadowy figure at the fiery ruins of Insomnia before being knocked away to the ground. After that, she tried reaching for her trident, only for it to be whisked away by this shadowy figure with spiky, raven hair, black skin, and yellow eyes before he stabbed her with her own trident as Ravus looked to her and spoke up, breaking her out of her trance.

"Stella. It's your turn to escort her back while I check on the gates."

And with that, Ravus and his "men" checked the gates to ensure there weren't any escape holes for her to go through while Stella escorted her back to her room. And quite frankly, Luna was relieved it'd be the case as she was much more reasonable than Ravus. Still, Stella had to enforce their rule as she gave her a reminder while gently closing the door. This was also while the panic of that vision was beginning to dominate her.

"You're not to leave this room again until the journey to Lucis, Luna. It is for your own good."

Given the situation of their homeland, and how casually Stella and Ravus were cooperating with Niflheim, Luna didn't believe that and felt there was more to it.

"My own good? What is truly going on here?"

Nervous as she was to tell her of her vision, Stella felt obligated to tell her the truth as to Niflheim as she sat on a chair and spoke just that.

"The Emperor told us that me and Noctis... well, we have to be married. Along with that, Lucis has to give up its territories, except for Insomnia."

This discussion wasn't quite what Luna wanted to talk about, but it made her intrigued with worry, nonetheless.

"What cause does the empire have to see you wed to Noctis?"

"I was told that they're offering peace from this, but... we both knew what the plan really was. It's to get one step closer to the crystal."

"And you're just going to let it happen?"

Stella can understand why Luna was upset. She didn't feel right doing this, but in spite of the Emperor's calm demeanor, the instant he decides that they're worthless, they'll be executed just that swiftly: a fate she didn't want to happen to her, Omen or not.

"If it means keeping you alive, then yes. Otherwise, what do you think would happen when Niflheim kills you? And our mother and father?! What then?!"

As Stella began to shed tears, Luna noticed that look on her face. And she knew it had something to do with the red irises from looking at her. While it would've terrified most, Luna, having already accepted death for her failure to be with Noctis long enough to heal him, boldly spoke to Stella to find out exactly what fate would play out.

"Stella... what did you see?"

At this point, Stella was afraid to tell her not just for reliving that awful vision, but to hear what she'd have to say about it. Nonetheless, she knew it'd haunt her if she didn't at least do something to alter her fate, however hopeless it was.

"Y-You were there... in the ruins of a city. A-And you were fighting... a strange creature. It looked so human. He had dark skin, yellow eyes, and... and black, raven hair. He was beating you down, taking your weapon, and... killing you."

As Stella shed heavier tears from such a nightmare, Luna looked at her and tried to comfort her, however surprised by that fate as she was. As she placed her hand on her shoulder, Luna tried to comfort her the way she comforted Noctis as to fate.

"I understand you must be scared to death about it... but if that is what the gods have determined, then it simply must be."

"But I don't want it to be, Luna! Don't you get that?! You're going to die, and you're just okay with that?!"

Surprised by her outburst as she was, Luna tried to calm her down with her honest outlook on a divine perspective.

"Yes. I am."

Unfortunately, that didn't work as it began to break out in a heated argument, one that Ravus couldn't help but overhear as he walked up to the room to check on the Stella after checking the possible escape routes.

"But you shouldn't be! Don't you realize you mean everything to our parents?! To me and Ravus?! You should be scared, mortified of dying, Luna! Why aren't you?!"

"I do not fear death, Stella!"

"SHUT UP!"

As Stella got Luna stepping back in surprised fear, she realized that she went out of line and clenched her hand trying to keep her cool and regain her composure.

"Don't. Just don't tell me that... anymore. I won't have it, Luna. I won't. You can feel as though your life is inconsequential, but I assure you, it is not. There are people that care too much about you to just let you die. And if you can't acknowledge that... then what use are you as a sister?"

With that, Stella began to walk out of the room angry, scared, and bitter as Ravus noticed this with a worried look. Of course, she was expected to act that way around him for what he's done. But in Lunafreya's case, Ravus began to worry for her. What could possibly have made her act that way at all around her? Was that all him?

"Uh, Stella?"

Upon hearing his voice, Stella stopped in her tracks to wipe her tears before looking to him with a cold expression.

"Yes, Ravus?"

"I... I was going to tell you that all the routes are sealed and the preparations for your transport are underway, as I've been informed."

"I see. Thanks for the update."

As Stella began to continue walking away, Ravus tried to work up the nerve to tell her about what he heard, but found himself unable to with the mood she was in. For one, he'd heard enough of her angry verbal retaliation for one day. And the only thing he wanted more than saving his parents, his family, and his home was to see her happy again. As far as Ravus could guess, she hadn't smiled in those 12 years at all or since. And if there was a way to make her smile, then telling her he overheard it certainly wouldn't help at all. So, he felt it best to let her be as they resumed their duties.

Meanwhile, in Insomnia, Regis and the High Officials were at odds over Ardyn's proposal in mere hours. Half of them were in favor of it while the remainder saw it as unnecessary.

"We are losing this war, Your Majesty. Lucis cannot rely on the Kingsglaive alone. Accepting the truce may be our best course of action."

"You speak of matters beyond the New Wall. We have no need of a truce here, so long as it still stands. And if our position worsens, we still have the Old Wall."

"Yes, but this truce will end the fighting altogether. If only we could compromise—"

As the High Official spoke, she found herself interrupted by Clarus.

"Compromise is unwise. We know nothing of Niflheim's true intentions. Do not fool yourselves. The Walls are far from impenetrable."

Regis, having taking in everything that has been said in both sides, disclosed the outcome to this predicament.

"The paths left to us are few. The New Wall draws its power from the throne. I am able to sustain it for some years yet, of the kingdom requires it. But the chancellor spoke one truth, if only one. We are old, and the Old Wall..."

Before he could say that it cannot stand against Niflheim's empire, remembering how easily Adagium bested Somnus's statue and his soul, he realized that what he would say could have ties to Adagium and changed his sentence to keep his calling secret from them.

"I cannot command the Old Wall with a weakened hand, nor do I have the strength to muster an offensive to turn the tide on this war."

"Then let the choice be made, Your Majesty. What are we to protect?"

As Claris' question ringed in his mind, Regis would normally answer the people, but given his son's calling as the King of Light destined to clash with another until all conflict has ended, he began to feel stressed by this as he thought about "Adagium" and what role he would play in this.

"I'll consult the crystal for this decision. I shall brief you when it has been made."

With that, while in Niflheim, Ardyn was taking a rest in the room he first woke up in after Angelgard as he sifted through a magazine before he heard Regis' voice in his head as he spoke to him via crystal at Insomnia. However unworthy he turned out to be later on, he was still chosen to be king by the crystal beforehand, so this allowed Regis to directly communicate to Ardyn, wherever he may be.

Adagium... what is the true purpose of your proposal?

Surprised as he was to hear his voice in his head, Ardyn began to smile. He found it best not to reveal Niflheim's plan too soon as it would cause a paradox in his calling, but that didn't mean he can't have some fun with him as he spoke back. After all, he was still upset about what Somnus did to him, and as far as he's concerned at the moment, Regis' ancestry made him at fault.

"Now, now, Regis. If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?"

Assuming that Ardyn was doing this on purpose for payback on the Lucians, Regis became rightfully, silently angry.

How many must die before you are satisfied?

"As many as need be, Your Majesty, so long as it fulfills your son's calling. And I can't say that I enjoy this any more than you do. I've seen many deaths... but now, I'm only looking forward to one. And then, Eos will rest assured, knowing its Starscourge is no more."

You will take responsibility, you know.

Hearing this from his descendant, Ardyn gave a smile, knowing how much Stella became to be viewed as Aera in many ways. And knowing her fate from Bahamut, he saw no reason why he wouldn't.

"As must we all. But first, the clash must occur, whether either of us like it... or not."

With that, Ardyn finished his momentary "communication" with Regis before he heard feminine footsteps walking closer until Stella came in view and he noticed her eyes, red with tears streaming down from her face as he walked over to comfort her and hugged her as he spoke.

"Oh, my dear. Stells, what has happened?"

"I had a vision of her. Soon, she'll die... and a shadow is to blame for it."

Having been told of her ability to foresee the death of anyone she looks at, Ardyn became very surprised to hear it involved Lunafreya. But what intrigued him even more was the culprit.

"What? A shadow? Are you certain you're hearing yourself right?"

"Yes. I know what I saw, Ardyn. And I can't let that happen. But Luna... she... she said she accepts her death, but I... I can't lose her. I can't..."

Before Stella could finish, she began to sob again before Ardyn began to shush her softly as he brushed her long hair back before he spoke softly as the father she saw him to be for these 12 years.

"It'll be alright. We'll most certainly won't let that happen."

"But... but what are we...?"

As Stella tried to work up the nerve to ask him this question, Ardyn showed his patience, knowing how well Aera was panicked and sorrowful the last time he saw her prior to his own daemonification.

"It's alright, my dear. Whatever you wish to say, you can take your time."

Without a moment's hesitation, Stella asked him a question she didn't like to ask, but she honestly had no clue how to go about it in her circumstance.

"What are we going to do? I can't change their fates. There's nothing I can do..."

As Stella said this to him, Ardyn was saddened, to be frank. He just found out that Stella was to endure the same torture as he did but to a far worse extent. But then, he thought about the Kingsglaive she aspired to be a part of in her youth. For whatever reason, thanks to the New Wall, the King's magic can be used by the royal guards as well, so long as he lives. There could be a possibility for young Stella to learn this in a similar way. Of course, at the moment, it's just a theory. But it seemed like one worth exploring. Who knows? Perhaps it'll prove one step closer to fulfilling their calling.

"Well... I wouldn't say that."

"What... what do you mean?"

"You know of my story, being one of Royal Blood, I assume?"

Of course, Stella knew the answer right away. This was mostly due to being told of his pleasant time as the healer of the people, including a few precious moments with his beloved, Aera. Stella often fancied her as a true paragon of kindness, mercy, and love. But, of course, that didn't save her. The only comfort she got from it is that she appeared to live on in her, as far as the two were concerned.

"Yes. You always told me this when I go to sleep. Why?"

"Well, what's a king without his Glaive?"

This offer made Stella surprised as she gasped. This was her dream to be a Glaive for a long time when she was little. Of course, Ardyn already knew that, as he remembered how Stella went on and on about her dream to be a Glaive at a young age.

"Whatever is the matter? I would've thought you'd enjoy being a Glaive."

"How did you know about that?"

"Truth be told, you wouldn't stop talking about it when you were young."

Knowing how well his memory keeps from his time watching her, Stella simply blushed as she spoke.

"Oh. That's right. So you already know, then."

"And I take it you'll accept?"

Happy that he was willing to help her, including have her be his own Glaive, Stella nodded and hugged him tighter, knowing her sister will be safe from the impending fate of doom.

"Yes. Thank you... so much."

Back at Insomnia, Regis had made the decision to go with the treaty and stated this to the High Officials, who, while they felt it to be a great risk, they understood his reasons and reluctantly supported it. With that, with the High Officials on board, Regis walked out to the near edge of the top of the Castle as he spoke to the heavens, knowing the role Noctis will play in the battle to come.

"May the gods forgive me..."