Author's note: This chapter took a little while because Ignis refused to write himself... also because I kept on making humorous quips at inappropriate times during the emotionally charged parts. Also its hard to have everyone involved in the interaction- I was almost desperate enough to turn Prompto into an irrevocable jester but we all know he's more than that! Thank you everyone for the follows, favourites and reviews! I'll get around to replying to all of your comments soon- I really enjoy replying to reviews (as some of you can probably tell LOL). Also the prayer you find within the text is made up (that's probably obvious) but I'm trying to work in some 'spirit' training for Noct and Luna for... reasons. So this is just the beginning of that story arc (which is not really canon- this is me just taking some liberties) :)
Chapter Four: Adding to the Party
Luckily for the three night time travellers, the blindingly bright floodlights of the Hammerhead outpost were not far. Luna remained comfortable on Gladio's back as Noctis walked ahead of the two with his Engine Blade tightly grasped in his hand in case any daemons made an unexpected appearance. The walk was quiet, with the weight of Luna's impending announcement forcing quiet over the makeshift convoy. Still, Luna's thoughts roared within her tired mind, thinking mostly about the small girl under her care.
Karina Marcellus Scientia. A perfect mix of Celia Marcellus and Ignis Scientia. Had the intelligent man set his eyes upon his daughter yet? Did he recognise those warm eyes and that button nose? Had he seen Celia in Karina?
Luna shut her eyes tight in an attempt to shut off her mind, if only momentarily, as thoughts of Karina bled into the violent picture of the Iron Giant's large appendage crushing her friend. Her short-lived friend, but friend nonetheless. A low grunt from Gladio forced Luna to open her eyes.
"No offense princess, but your bony knees are really digging into my ribs good," Luna could hear the wince in the big guy's voice. With a soft gasp, Luna released her strong hold on Gladio.
"I'm very sorry! I was lost in my own thoughts- I didn't mean to bring you any discomfort. You can let me down now, I believe I can walk the rest of the way." Luna quickly apologised, wriggling a little to signal she was ready to climb off his back. Gladio merely hummed to acknowledge her request before kneeling down to let her off. Noctis frowned and offered Luna a hand, which she gratefully took with a shy smile. "Thank you Noctis."
"Uh, yeah. You're- um- welcome?" Noctis stuttered as Luna's grip tightened on his hand. Luna merely glanced at the younger man and smiled quietly before slowly pulling Noctis forward. Gladio smirked to himself as he walked beside the royals, conjuring his own broad sword in case of an ambush.
After a few more moments of silent walking, the three travellers were safe back in Hammerhead. Luna's' eyes immediately scanned the perimeter of the outpost for a familiar looking little girl. When she found nothing, she turned her worried gaze to Gladio.
"Karina?" Gladio smiled reassuringly and placed a heavy hand on Luna's covered shoulder.
"She should be inside with Iggy and Prom- follow me."
Noctis frowned at Luna's worried expression.
"Who did you say Karina was again?" curiosity dripped from the prince's words. Luna smiled sadly and squeezed Noctis' hand, glad Noctis hadn't chosen to ask about the fall of his home just yet.
"She's a little girl that was left in my care by a friend. I promised I would bring her with me and keep her safe," Luna sighed sadly and glanced up at Noctis. Her breath caught in her throat as she finally got to see Noctis' matured features under good lighting. Gone were his pudgy cheeks and wide eyes, and in came his sharp jawline and strong gaze. Luna's eyes travelled towards his broad shoulders and muscled forearms. The twenty-four year old found her face growing hot as she belatedly realised she was holding hands with a very good looking man.
Noctis' brows furrowed at the change in Luna's demeanour.
"Luna? You're not sick, are you?" Noctis pulled Luna closer, despite his own growing blush at being so close to his supposed fiancé, and placed a cool hand upon her forehead. "You feel a little, uh, clammy? Should probably get Ignis to take a look at you," Noctis trailed off as he wrenched his hand away and distanced himself from the blonde. Luna cleared her throat and nodded in agreement, taking a deep breath before she replied.
"Yes, that sounds like a reasonable plan."
Before Noctis could affirm Luna's reply, Gladio's voice cut through the awkward tension in the air.
"Sorry to break up your reunion, but the little lady's crying for her 'magic lady'. Lady Lunafreya, you're up," Gladio announced, humour in his tone as he addressed the Oracle as the 'magic lady'. Luna's expression grew relieved, and then worried, as she released her grasp on Noctis' hand and hurriedly limped forward towards the diner's entrance.
As she entered, the loud sobs of a little girl filled her ears. These sobs were followed by the frantic voice of a man who was obviously trying his best to comfort the girl.
"Lookie here Kari- double-choc banana sundae! All for you- I won't even ask for a bite, I promise! Come on Kari, please stop crying, you're gonna get sick or something!"
"I see you brought out the ice cream before schedule." Gladio called out, announcing his presence before he slipped into the booth. He raised his eyebrows at Prompto, who had Karina bouncing up and down- seated precariously on his shoulders. "Get her down from there, she's probably scared of falling!" Gladio chided. Prompto sighed and reached over his head to bring the small child down from his shoulders and seated back on his lap. The girl turned in his lap and clung onto him, sobbing into his black crownsguard vest.
Prompto made a face of disgust as Karina wetly sobbed onto him.
"I'm like that uncle you find at every family gathering that's covered in snot all the time." Prompto stage whispered to Gladio. "Did you find the 'magic lady'?" he asked, his voice a little desperate. Gladio smirked and nodded before leaning forward and gesturing at the presence Prompto had yet to register.
"Look to your left hot shot." Prompto immediately whipped his head to his right. Gladio groaned while Prompto registered Noctis' familiar chuckles coming from his left. Whipping his head to his 'other left', Prompto's gaze met the worried, yet relieved look of a very tired, ragged and pretty woman.
"Magic lady?" Prompto asked tentatively. The woman smiled at Prompto's innocent question and shrugged lightly.
"It appears so- but I liked to be called Luna." Luna's face broke into a small, genuine smile as both Prompto and Karina's wide eyes were now facing her.
"As in lady Lunafreya Nox 'Noctis' future wifey' Fleuret?!"
A giggled escaped from Luna's mouth and she brought a hand up to cover her mouth as she broke into a genuine laugh.
"The very same!" Luna smiled, mirth in her voice.
"Did you find Mama?" Karina asked innocently, her stuffy nose and raspy voice striking a chord of sorrow in Luna. Humour receding, Luna sadly shook her head and reached out for Karina, who willingly clambered into Luna's arms. Weakened from her tiring journey, Luna slipped into the booth beside Prompto- who immediately began to stutter to himself for being so close to a real life princess- and rubbed Karina's back soothingly.
"No sweetie, we didn't find your Mama," Luna kissed the top of Karina's head and finally noticed that her face wasn't as grimy as it was before. Luna pulled back and inspected Karina's appearance quickly before smiling kindly at the girl in her arms.
"Do you want to take a bath?" Karina scrunched up her face and buried herself into Luna's chest in silent protest. Noctis smirked at the picture of the two females in their company and shrugged.
"Kids don't like baths."
Gladio snorted at the prince's observation.
"Neither do you. Therefore, you must be a kid." Noctis rolled his eyes at his shield's witty remark.
"Shut up Gladio." Noctis glanced around the booth, finally realising they were missing a person. "Prompto, where's Ignis?" Prompto sighed and shrugged, his hands rising in surrender.
"I dunno man, he took Karina to the rest room to help her clean up while I got her chocolate milk-"
"That is the best flavour..." Gladio cut in, his tone thoughtful.
"Yeah, so I was doing that and then a few minutes later Kari's running in, all hysterical and crying for Luna and saying she doesn't want to be near the meanie. I'm gonna go on a whim and say she was referring to Iggy when she said 'meanie'. Yeah, so after that Iggy kinda just came into check on us. Said he was gonna be in the trailer cos he had a killer headache." Prompto's relayed, concern laced in his voice. The sharp shooter's gaze settled on Luna's troubled expression.
"Let's all go to the trailer- there's some news I have to share with all of you. It would be most wise if we had some privacy," Luna murmured. With a nod, the three men stood up and waited for Luna at exit the booth with Karina in her arms. However, try as she may, Luna simply could not will herself to stand with Karina weighing her down. Her body was too weak after the constant use of her white magic. With a sigh, Luna gazed at the men in her company a little helplessly. "I seem to be drained of my energy…"
Noctis immediately set to action, looping has hands under Karina's arms and pulling her away from Luna. Smiling apologetically, Luna stood up and shuffled out of the booth.
"Thank you Noct," Luna spoke quietly. Noctis merely nodded, a blush rising on his cheeks as he waved off Luna's kind words.
"It's nothing- just take it easy. I thought… when I heard your voice out there… I thought the worst. I'm just glad you're here. Don't try to do everything yourself. I'm older, stronger… I can help you. Let me help you now. Please." Noctis gazed at Luna with such strong intensity that Luna had to look away.
"Okay." She replied simply.
The Ring of the Lucii thrummed with arcane magic in her pocket, almost burning as it reached out towards its Chosen King. Still, Luna clenched her fists and walked forward- away from Noctis- out of the diner and towards the trailer.
It wasn't his time. Although Noctis was grown up, although he was strong, although he was a man of good character… Noctis would need more than a mere mortal's virtues to command the powers of the past kings. Luna quickly realised that.
The blonde princess sighed quietly and turned her gaze towards the blurry stars in the night sky. Her jobs as Oracle was to ensure the Chosen King could fulfil his duty.
Physically, the king was now ready, but spiritually he had a long way to go. Luna clenched her fists at her sides, her fear slowly sinking into her core as she quietly whispered the sacred entrance rite of the Oracle's Covenant.
"O mighty guardians of Eos,
I entreat thee.
Hone our spirits so we shine,
Even in the darkest of times.
Lend us your power so we topple,
Even the mightiest of foes.
And protect us on this journey,
So that we may bring peace to all of your children's souls."
Ignis had just about fallen into a light sleep until the tell-tale clicking of the trailer door alerted him to the presence of his comrades. With a soft groan, Ignis lifted his tired body from his bottom bunk and sat up on the mattress. He watched tiredly as Prompto and Gladio climbed into the trailer and waved at him in greeting. Ignis set his forest green eyes on Gladio with an exasperated look on his face.
"It was foolish of you to take our prince out to look for some woman in the middle of the night." Ignis started, his accented tone clipped, attempting to his frustration. Prompto sighed and shook his head while Gladio broke into an uneasy smile.
"Well we found the woman. We also heard you somehow scared the kid shitless from taking a bath. Want to tell us what happened?" Gladio asked, curiosity in his voice. Ignis shook his head, his lips in a grim straight line.
"I did nothing of the sort. She asked for her mother, I said nothing. She started to throw a tantrum, I was startled. I may have squeezed her finger a little hard as a result. She was being difficult." Ignis ended, his voice sounding surprisingly defeated. Prompto shot a worried glance towards the usually put together man and nudged Gladio.
"You're not great with kids, are you Iggy?" Ignis sighed and nodded.
"Even Noctis was terrified of me when he first met me and I was only fifteen years old." The bespectacled man admitted. Prompto opened his mouth to offer words of comfort to the stoic man but was interrupted by Noctis' belated entrance. Prompto's eyes zeroed in on the small girl in Noctis' arms. Ignis noticed the girl and clenched his fists on his lap.
"Your highness, you shouldn't be carrying that child-"
"It's okay, I wanted to." Noctis replied quickly before making his way inside and placing the girl on the other available bottom bunk. Ignis watched as the girl sleepily sat up and rubbed at her eyes tiredly. As her eyes curiously scanned the interior of the trailer, they landed on Ignis' still form on the opposite bunk. Ignis was taken aback as the girl merely squinted her eyes at him and stuck her tongue out rudely. Ripping his gaze away from the insolent child, Ignis turned his attention to Noctis who sat beside Karina.
"Did you find her caretaker? Were there any issues getting back?" Noctis shook his head at his advisor's questions and whipped his head in the direction of the trailer door as it opened once again. Ignis' eyes narrowed at the new entry who was not yet visible behind the door. Who else could be entering the trailer? Maybe someone had made a mistake and entered the wrong one? Maybe it was an intruder. Ignis summoned his blades, eliciting a scared gasp from the small girl opposite him. He ignored the girl and trained his eyes on the petite figure that had just entered the trailer.
His eyes travelled up her ragged clothes and towards her face. Clear blue eyes met forest green followed by gasps of recognition. Ignis immediately stood and bowed, his daggers fading into the ether.
"Lady Lunafreya? What brings you all the way to Hammerhead? We were supposed to meet you in Altissia for the wedding," Ignis trailed off as he registered Luna's saddened gaze. He watched as Luna turned to take a long look at Noctis before she turned back to him. Her eyes flittered towards the girl and she gave her a small smile of reassurance before settling her gaze back on him.
"Ignis Scientia… I have heard so much about you. It's such a pleasure to finally meet you," Luna bowed elegantly, her blonde hair spilling over her bare shoulder with the movement. Ignis' eyes widened fractionally at the lady's words.
"No, the pleasure is all mine…" Luna smiled sadly and nodded before walking forward and sitting tiredly on the bunk already occupied by Noctis and Karina.
"I have some bad news," Gladio sighed at Luna's words as he pulled Prompto down with himself to get seated on the trailer's floor. Ignis watched as Karina wriggled off the bunk between Noctis and Luna and moved to settled herself in Prompto's lap. Prompto was not phased, merely wrapping his arms around the small child and staring up at the princess of Tenebrae expectantly. Ignis fought back an unexpected pang of envy for Prompto and turned his gaze towards Luna.
"It's about Insomnia." Gladio supplied vaguely. Noctis nodded, twiddling his thumbs in his lap. The prince turned towards Luna and looked at her with pained eyes.
"Tell us." Luna gulped and nodded as she gazed at the people in the trailer with her. Before she knew it she was recounting all the happenings that occurred in the Citadel. The valiant efforts of those who remained loyal to the Crown. The actions of those who defected to aid the Empire. Ravus' agony, Nyx's bravery and loyalty, Libertus' change of heart… the fall of King Regis Lucis Caelum. Luna blinked away tears as she told her story, only interrupted once by Gladio.
"My father…?" Gladio asked, his voice hoarse. Luna shook her head sadly, closing her eyes tight at the horrifying image of Clarus Amicitia's bloody corpse entered her mind's eye.
"There was nothing I could do. Libertus Ostium- one of the men from the glaive- escorted me out to the outskirts of Insomnia where I joined a band of refugees. There I met a woman and her child." Luna suddenly stopped and glanced warily at the ever alert Ignis Scientia. "Her name was Celia Marcellus." Ignis immediately stood up from the bunk, startling everyone in the room except for Luna and Noctis. Noctis sighed and placed his hand under his chin as he glanced at his advisor.
"Cecelia Marcellus, majored in daemons and the Starscourge?" Luna nodded at Ignis' question.
"She told me about you. She cared about you a lot." The Oracle averted her gaze, sadness taking over as she sensed Ignis' grief.
"You're speaking in past tense…"
"I'm sorry." Luna spoke softly. Ignis took a deep breath and turned his eyes towards the young girl who was staring up at Ignis with fear in her eyes. The girl… Celia… they looked so much alike. Ignis finally took in the light brown strands of the girl's matter hair and her long limbs. Her pink lips, her light brown eyes and her small nose.
"Who is Karina?" Ignis asked, his voice suspiciously quiet. Prompto's eyes met Noctis' and the two friends shared a silent conversation with their eyes as Luna opened her mouth to speak.
"Karina Marcellus. Celia's daughter. If I were to take her father's name into account… her name would be Karina Marcellus… Scientia." Luna ended, her voice lowering as she warily watched Ignis for a reaction. Prompto took in a bated breath while Karina sat stock still momentarily before jumping off Prompto's lap. Luna turned her attention to the little girl and offered the girl a weak smile. "Karina dear, this is your Papa." The little girl shook her head.
"No."
"Karina…" Gladiolus reprimanded softly from his spot next to Prompto, only to be interrupted by Ignis' usual pragmatic tone.
"This doesn't change anything. I have a duty to the Crown. I have taken an oath to protect Noctis until my very last breath. I cannot let a child I barely know impede on my responsibility to Noctis." Ignis levelled an impassive look at the child who he now knew was his own and repressed the urge to trace a finger over the remaining dirt stains on her soft cheeks.
"That's messed up. She's your kid. Take responsibility. I don't want a child to be robbed of her father just because he's scared of not knowing what to do." Noctis spoke up, his words cutting through to Ignis. The royal advisor and battle tactician fixed hard eyes on the prince and examined the young man's determine gaze before letting out a sigh.
"Your highness-"
"No! No, no, no, no, no! I don't want him. He's mean and scary and I don't know what he's saying and he doesn't love me or Mama!" Karina's loud voice cut through the air like knives as she screamed at the top of her lungs. Luna's gaze was down cast at the girl's words. This wasn't what she had imagined. She had thought the father and daughter would have been happy to see each other. The meaning behind Celia's words came back to haunt her. Sure, Luna had been through many horrifying trials and tribulations at the hands of the Empire, yet it appeared she was yet to understand how lay life worked. Though she was a prisoner, she was still treated like a royal at most times. She was still sheltered. She had no idea… people had many different emotions and many different reactions to others. Context was important- as was experience. Luna shook her head sadly. She'd do her best to remember that in the future.
"It appears the girl has spoken," Ignis started. Prompto shook his head, a worried glint in his usually bright blue eyes.
"Dude… you're not really gonna leave Kari by herself?" Prompto prodded. Luna turned her head towards Ignis, waiting for the man's answer.
"She will stay here and I will ask Cid to search for the girl's grandparents." Ignis answered calmly. Luna shook her head and shot up from where she sat, her sad gaze trained on the taller man.
"That could take months, even years. And that's only if they are, in fact, alive!" the princess cried out. "Karina is yours, Ignis Scientia, and I suggest you get that through your head very soon because as long as I travel with you, Karina travels with you." Luna breathed in and out hard, her fists clenched tightly to her sides and a drop of sweat rolling down her neck at her overexertion, Noctis frowned and looked up at his fiancé and childhood sweetheart with confusion written all over his face.
"You'll be travelling with us?" Noctis asked. Luna turned to the raven haired man and nodded without any further words. Karina sniffled quietly, drawing the attention of the adults in the room.
"Stop yelling. I'm scared," the girl cried, her voice hinting at her exhaustion. "I want to go home. I want to play with my friends. I want Mama to read to me. I want to go to school! I want my Mama and I want my home and I'm s-sc-scared!" the girl finally cracked, sliding down onto the floor with the heels of her palms pressed down hard against her eyes. Luna avoided Ignis' gaze and moved towards the door of the trailer.
"I'm sorry Ignis, but this is in your hands now. Noct, Gladio, Prompto-" Prompto made a noise of protest as he stood from his seated position on the floor and flashed the blonde princess and timid smile.
"You can call me Prom if ya want," Luna nodded at Prompto's suggestion.
"Thank you Prom." Luna turned to Ignis, who watched the rest of his comrades and the newly arrived princess with wary eyes. The advisor did not wear his glasses, rendering his vision less than ideal. Still he stared right at the princess as he was being addressed. "We'll be outside getting some air and discussing travel arrangements." Luna's voice tone softened as she let her gaze flitter to the crying girl on the floor. All the girl seemed to do these days was cry. It hurt Luna to think that she had no idea what Karina's true personality was like. It hurt to see the little girl undergo so much grief. It also hurt to see the girl's father so confused and lost when faced with his true responsibility.
"I suppose you'll be leaving Karina here then?"
Luna nodded, affirming Ignis' inference.
"Please… she only has us now. I promised Celia that I would keep Karina safe, yet I have a duty to both Noctis and Eos as the Oracle. Please understand my plight Ignis- I do not wish to make things hard for you, but I am left with no other choice. Where else is Karina going to be safest, if not in her father's embrace?"
With those words said, Luna turned away from the newly found out father and followed the other three men out of the trailer.
As she descended the creaky steps of the temporary shelter, Luna couldn't help but let a stray tear slip from her eye.
This was not what she wanted for Karina. This was no what she had wanted for Ignis. She could only hope the father and daughter could mend their relationship, if only a little, in the time she and the boys had afforded them before their imminent departure.