Somnus Nemoris
How do tell someone how much you love them?
Noctis really needed the answer to this question.
He sat there, on the cold, hard, bloodstained intersection, hugging his knees to his chest. His head was down, forehead pressed against his knees.
Heartache.
The Prince had never known this pain.
Was it supposed to hurt this much?
Noctis looked up at the sky and saw what he hated most…
That God damn light
Shining so brightly as if ready to accept the newest soul whose death was imminent
That was something that Noctis was not ready for.
"Noct…" croaked, a low brittle voice.
Her voice broke the almost unbearable silence so abruptly, it made the Prince jump. He coasted his eyes to the left. He moved over to her hurriedly, gently lifting her head from the asphalt and placing it in his lap.
"Noct…don't be angry…" she rasped, "We-we knew it would come to this."
"That doesn't mean I wanted it to!" he cried and it came out a lot harder and louder than he intended as he sighed, looking away from her.
Stella reached out, softly taking his hand into hers, "Do you remember the Words of Etro?" she asked.
"That goddamn lullaby?" Noctis breathed angrily, "Stella, not now-" but he tried his best to remain calm. But how could he? The one person he loved in this world was slowly fading away…
"The kingdom sleeps
and children sacrifice theirselves day by day
until they extinguish,
and they will never awake.
This tragedy destroys,
in front of them,
every beloved thing.
And in this never-ending night,
Look there, the real vision
on the edge; I will see you
and the next morning the time will awake."
"Somnus Nemoris. I know." Noctis said.
"Hey, look at me…" Stella said.
Noctis was reluctant, but Stella was persistent; one of the many things he loved about her- and would miss about her.
Noctis felt warmth on his cheek as she turned him to her, bringing him down to her, as she placed his head on her chest.
"Stella….I-" The Prince felt something cool and wet gently tap the back of his head. He left her hold, looking up, as another drop fell onto his nose.
Dark clouds rolled softly through the sky, covering up the luminescent Moon and the Light.
"Rain…" Stella's sweet voice rolled in his ears as he looked back down at her.
"I hate the rain…" Noctis said.
"And I love it…another thing that makes us different, Prince Noctis." Stella said while mustering up her best smile for him.
It wasn't perfect, but he never asked for her to be.
He reached down as he couldn't tell if it was the rain, but he was sure tears were falling from her eyes. He was pretty sure he wanted to cry too.
"Noctis, you'll be King someday, and Kings do not weep…" Stella said.
Rainwater, dirt, and blood began to run down the intersection as the rainfall picked up. Stella began to cough harshly as she reached down at her abdomen, her hand coming back up covered in blood.
Stella looked back up at him, as her eyes told him everything he needed to know.
And everything he feared.
He reflected on his father's words:
Learn to let go of everything you are afraid to lose…
Stella closed her eyes, holding his hand again.
"Goodnight, my Prince…" she said, as her grip on his hand and her life slowly loosened.
Noctis' eyes widened in fear as he held onto her hand tighter.
She didn't return the gesture.
Somnus Nemoris, My Princess…
