Chapter VII: Omnis Lacrima

"The course of true love never did run smooth."

-William Shakespeare.


I hummed to myself as I stirred the breakfast soup for Ignis.

"You seem elated this morning, Noct," Ignis said, cleaning the cutting board.

"Oh? I just feel good this morning."

"Usually you drag your feet at getting up so early."

"I am well rested after exhausting myself out from yesterday."

"Hmm…" He put down his cutting board. The clang of the wood stopped my arm in place. "Noct, you're hiding something from us."

"What?"

"Your mood today, the hunch about Niflheim, the illusion the fal'Cie sent to us. You need to tell us before it is too late Noct."

I looked away from him. The soup bubbled in the pot as I paused stirring.


King Regis Lucis Caelum sat in his throne room, his son Noctis standing before him with his hands on his hips.

"You want me...among the ranks of the Kingsglaive?" The dark haired prince raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that dangerous? And risky for the future line?"

"To raise morale. They won't know of your status as prince, as do most of the people of Insomnia. You're quite good at your magical ability now Noct."

"You honestly think I'm going to blend in that well? May I remind you everyone figured out in elementary school on the second day that I was the prince when a limo pulled up."

The doors slammed open. Regis sat up in his seat, Noctis moved to his side.

"Your Majesty," a Crownsguard greeted. "Niflheim sent an envoy to the gate in light of the retreat against the Glaive. The envoy wishes to discuss matters."

Regis rested his hand in his chin. "Send them in." His finger gestured for Noctis to lean down closer. "Do not say a word to the envoy, understood?"

Swallowing, Noctis obliged. "Yes...Your Majesty."

A man with maroon hair strode in like he was right at home in the heart of the Citadel. The dim blue lighting cast a shadow upon his face. "Hello there, Your Majesty, and Your Highness."

Noctis' jaw tightened at the sight of him.

"Has the Empire grown so bold as to send their own Chancellor to our front door?" Regis slouched back.

"Ah yes, well, in light of the recent retreat, it was in good taste to allow us offer terms of peace."

"Your Emperor decided now to ask for peace?"

"Oh yes. This senseless violence must come to an end, and we'd rather have it end with peaceful terms, like with Tenebrae."

"The Tenebrae Treaty was an act of treason against Lucis, and I declared it so, 22 years ago.

"You and Tenebrae can reunite again under our terms of peace." His mouth curled into a smile, one that made Noctis' hair stand on end. "The terms are relatively simple: a permanent ceasefire will be invoked. Lucis will surrender the outlying provinces save for Insomnia to Niflheim control."

"There's more."

"Just one: I'd rather discuss it without your son or any others in the room for their input."

Regis nodded to Noctis. "Go, Prince Noctis. I shall be with you shortly."

The Prince didn't want to move from his spot at all. He wanted to hear the final term of this treaty. "Yes...Your Majesty." He practically stomped out of the room, the loud clicking of his boots echoing.

Regis sighed. "Your terms, Chancellor?"

"Why yes. See, the last term will involve your son. He will be King of Lucis still if, and only if, you surrender the Crystal to our possession. If not, your son will not be your successor. You must turn over your throne to Niflheim control."

The King's hand squeezed into a fist of anger for a second, before loosening. "Thank you for your options, I must consider them before proceeding."

Ardyn tipped his hat before leaving. "Thank you, Your Majesty," he said, almost like it was a mocking statement.


As the King sat in his council hall, his thoughts were a hurricane. What options did he have? Noctis not being king in the future meant his comfort and stability is unknown. Surely supporters would rise up and declare his son the rightful heir, but others not so much. If he gave up the Crystal, Niflheim would destroy it just like Solheim, just like Accordo, just like Tenebrae. And the war, the endless war. The protection given by the Crystal was infinite to a degree. It also required Regis' support of the fal'Cie, a slave to it like every other l'Cie. He could surrender the throne to keep the Crystal, become like Tenebrae, but at what cost to Noctis? To his people? Would it even be worth it in the end?

His brand burned on his arm. The echoes of the fal'Cie beneath the Citadel several hundred feet whispered in his ears.

A future without a king is an endless darkness.

He knew this.

But...a trick and a trap away and the magic that lives in your son shall be free.

His mind was made up.

Noctis leaned against the wall in the hallway outside the Council Hall, waiting for his father's final verdict. Regis let his council leave first, men and women in suits exiting one by one. The Prince slipped into the hall, walking to his father's side.

"Well?" Noctis asked, arms crossed.

"I have accepted the treaty, and you're no longer to be enlisted into the Kingsglaive."

Noctis shook his head. "What? But why? Those Niflheim bastards are up to something. Why accept a treaty like this? We lose all this land, our economy…"

"Enough Noctis. I have my orders, and I wish for you to be out of the Citadel during the treaty signing."

"No way old man, I'm staying. This is suspicious to me, I want to be there at your side."

"Noctis you are failing to understand why you should be not here."

"Why? Because I'm just the lowly Prince? Because I can't protect my king?"

"Because if everything goes wrong the last thing I need is my own son getting caught in the crossfire, now you bow to me, and obey me as your king."

"So now you're using that card on me of all times? Don't you think I should be there? To give the Niffs a good impression?"

"Noct...why are you being so stubborn?"

"Because I don't want my dad to go at this alone!" He slammed his fist on the table.

Regis, startled, looked up at his son. Once it was yesterday he was a small child; helpless, defenseless, and young. Now he was a young man, aged 20, and refusing to back down. "My son…"

"Dad please, I need to be here in the Citadel."

Regis internally pleaded to Etro for some divine intervention. The last thing he needed now was some bad blood between him and Noctis. He had a plan, but the outcome was unknown at best. "Alright, you may stay. I prefer it if you were outside of the Citadel but yes, you may accompany me to the signing ceremony." The brand on his arm ceased burning.


"You mean that Stella was the one who spread the rumor of our King returning to Insomnia?" Gladio demanded through clenched teeth. "Why didn't you say this earlier?"

"Because, Gladio, I thought you guys would want me to stop talking to her. Besides, it was my idea in the first place; she's merely proving herself an ally by doing as I asked." I crossed my arms.

"Noct, this is a very dangerous and risky thing you're doing." Ignis adjusted his glasses.

"Tell me more about it. She has been super useful though, telling me about the Niffs before we got to the front gate of the Meteorite."

"But Noct…" Prompto sighed. "What if...I mean...what if you let something slip? What if she lets something slip? It's very risky."

I sighed. "Guys, this has been going on for several weeks, and as far as I can tell, she wants to be our ally. Ever since Tenebrae and Lucis became enemies 22 years ago, relations have been tense. The war is over, Niflheim have what they want for now. Stella is on the inside, she knows everything. The risk to me is worth the benefit."

"Noct," Ignis set his bowl down, "I can see you've thought about this a considerable amount, I still think it's entirely too dangerous, but knowing you, you would do it anyways regardless if we approved of such actions."

Gladio looked at Ignis in disbelief. "So you're not telling him no?"

"I'm not telling him yes either. He is our prince, soon to be king. It is his decision ultimately whether to continue forging an alliance behind Niflheim's back." Ignis turned to me and smirked. "Besides, I think His Highness wants to spend more time with Her Highness anyways."

The sun beating overhead began to burn my face. "What? I mean yes but I-"

"Ohh is someone enjoying the company of the Princess?" Prompto elbowed my ribs.

"Guys…"

"Better make him brush up on his manners Ignis," Gladio said. "Wouldn't want him to embarrass himself in front of Her Highness."

"I do not have any feelings for Her Highness at all. Besides, we are still technically enemies and as you said, she could slip or I could slip. Let's just leave it at that," I said in a huff.

Maybe I was lying for a brief moment. My feelings were nothing more than feelings of fond friendship, nothing more. Perhaps that was also a lie.

"Alright then Your Highness, we'll leave you be." Ignis took a sip of his Ebony Coffee. "We need you to decide where we are going today."

Prompto held up the map. "The locals told us about, uh, um, these two places that are home to mystical things and lots of dangerous Cie'th."

Gladio leaned forward to read the map. "Bet you those places are the best bet for Royal Arms."

I squinted my eyes at the crinkled map. "One of those places is hidden inside a mountain and the other is out in the middle of rough landscape with no roads. How are we going to get there? Unless we get the Regalia to fly or become a dune buggy…"

Prompto smiled so wide at my mention of the Regalia. "Oh oh maybe we can go ask Cidney about improving the Regalia."

Gladio sighed. "Now you've really done it Noct; you got Cidney on the brain."

I scratched at the back of my neck. "Eheh, my bad."


"And you still haven't found him?" Emperor Aldercapt sat on his large white and red throne in the heart of Niflheim's capital, Gralea. His wrinkled mouth frowned at the less than stellar report from Chancellor Ardyn, Commodore Highwind, Research Chief Verstael, and High Commander Ravus.

"Unfortunately he got away when the fal'Cie exploded in the Meteorite," Ardyn explained, flippant in tone.

"I propose we return to Insomnia, sire." Ravus stepped forward, his hood obscuring his eyes. His mouth curled into a smirk. "The rumors of 'His Majesty' returning, whether true or not, will prompt him to return." He held up a diagram of the Crystal. "The magical enchantment then can be broken, the Lucis Caelum bloodline eliminated, and the Crystal yours."

"Is General Glauca still on standby?" Verstael asked. "I imagine your dear sister is being protected by him."

"Yes, he is. He will most pleased when he is able to eliminate the prince." Ravus took out a report on the remaining Kingsglaive and Crownsguard. "However, the King's most loyal servants are still missing. We need a much larger task force to root them out."

"Very well," Aldercapt spoke. "I have other matters to deal with before I return to Insomnia. Commodore, Chief, and High Commander, you return to Insomnia at once."

The three of them saluted. "Yes Your Majesty."


"Hey ya'll!" Cidney waved to us as we pulled into the front walk of the garage. "How's it been goin'?"

I hold back a snicker as Prompto stumbles to get out of the passenger seat. "Uh well you know, getting around and stuff."

"Sounds like ya'll have been in some interesting adventures out there. What brings ya all here?"

"We've come to seek your expertise, Cidney," Ignis said, closing the driver's door.

I gestured to the Regalia. "We need to go to places out of our reach, got an ideas?"

She put her finger on her chin in thought. "Hmm...I got an idea. Will take a while though."

"We've got time," I lied. Technically we were on a time crunch. Those rumors had had unfortunate consequences that I had not considered. If we wait too long to return, hope in the citizens would dim and Niflheim would be prepared fully for us.

"Great! Bet ya'll are staying the night yes?" Cidney asked us, happiness in her tone to rival a kid in toyland.

"Yeah, we are," Prompto said, slinging his arm over my shoulders. "We gotta poke around for stuff in these parts anyhow."

Smooth man, very smooth.

"Alrighty, I'll get started. Don't get hurt ya'll." She tipped her baseball cap to us and set to work inspecting the Regalia before pulling it into the garage.

Prompto released his arm to pull out his camera. A punch from Gladio to my arm grabbed my attention.

"Yes?" I said, rubbing my nearly bruised arm.

"I gotta take off for a little bit. Got some business of my own to deal with."

"Say wha?" Prompto tilted his head at Gladio's statement.

So he wanted to fly solo for a bit? Alrighty then. I wondered exactly what brought this on. "Do your thing. Not like we could stop you anyway." I sighed, a wink thrown his way.

Gladio smiled like we were truly best buds back in the training room of the Citadel. "You know me too well. See ya 'round guys." He took off running down the highway.

"That was odd. Wondering what business Gladio is up to?" I said out loud to myself.

"He'll be okay Noct. First things first though, I'm starving." Prompto hopped over to the diner.

My stomach growled at the mention of food.


"Our duty as an Amicitia, Gladiolus, is to protect the King at any cost."

The words of Clarus rang in his mind as he sat on a log in front of a cave inside a mountain. Roughing it out here was fine and fun and a departure from the big city...and it had been somewhat humbling to the prince. Yet he yearned for the Citadel, for it was far easier to keep an eye out for dangers lurking around the corner. Noctis had zero qualms about wandering off, talking to the very same enemy princess who had tricked him the night Insomnia was attacked, and dove headfirst into danger. At least he could take care of himself…

But that brand burned into his hip put more anxiety on Gladio's mind. It wasn't just simple anymore. Before he was branded as insurance, his job was nothing more than protect Noctis from non-self-inflicted physical harm. Now, with the fal'Cie's will crushing his shoulders, to protect Noctis was beyond physical. It was mental. Emotional. The meaning of one's focus could be twisted to mean anything to one's benefit or curse. It was his curse as Noctis' mental health and emotional health were on the line for Gladiolus.

And what of Ignis and Prompto? They were unofficial shields now. They only had their focus to worry about, but that was a selfish thought. Oppression games would do nothing but fester inner wounds.

His phone buzzed in his pants pocket. Taking it out, it was a text from Cor.

Are you sure you wish to proceed with your task?

With one hand, Gladio typed out a reply.

Yes. I need this.

Sent.

Alright. One thing: ignore the voices.

He put his phone away. Voices? What voices? Why the voices?

Shedding his jacket and baring his muscles to the world, he set aside his phone and rucksack. Cracking his knuckles, he stood up and glared down the entrance to the dim cave. Threads of blue fog emitted from its depths.

"For the King," he said to himself.


"Noct?" Stella Nox Fleuret greeted me. "I believe I owe you a tour of Tenebrae."

I raised an eyebrow, thinking back to the night we talked in the 13th Tower in Insomnia. "Why?"

She shrugged her shoulders, reaching out to grab me by the wrist. Her grip was like steel strangely. "Why not? Now, close your eyes Noct."

I did as I was told. It was weird that I was a living manifestation of myself while I slept. This dream realm was warping on Stella's command, just as it appeared to me and her as the Citadel as a place of familiarity. My brand's energy fluxed for a moment as I felt the world beneath my feet change.

"Open up," she spoke, releasing her grip on my wrist.

My jaw dropped as my eyes were hit with the most unbelievable images ever. The two of us stood on a small dock at the bottom of a canyon covered in moss and foliage, waterfalls on various sides. The mist of the crashing waves dampened my hair. The night sky was painted in blues and clouds of purple. The fireflies came out, illuminating the water around us with a million reflections.

"This is Tenebrae?" I asked, awe-stricken.

"Yes, from what I remember of it," I heard her answer.

"Wow...This place is...whoa."

"I see your words escape you."

I turned away from gaping at the sky to look at her. In the light of the fireflies she clasped her arm, her cheeks pink. The cool breeze fanned her hair, the ruffles on her skirt fluttered…

Whoa.

"I mean...yeah words would flee at the sight of this place…" Man I am such an idiot. "So uh, how did this come about? Like how…"

"Can we see this?" Stella finished. "You will it to be. We're in the realm of sleep, where it bends to what we perceive our realities to be. That's why it was the Citadel for you when we first met here."

"So we're in the realm of sleep…" I said. "Does Etro linger here?"

She shook her head. "I have no idea. Never seen her here."

"But you and I know what she looks like."

"Yes. I suppose recognizing a goddess wouldn't be too difficult."

The echoes of the crashing waterfalls filled the silence as we both stared up at the stars.

"Stella?"

"Yes Noct?"

"Thank you for showing me this, even if it is just a dream." My stomach fluttered as I heard her last words for the night.

"One day, you might get to see the real version."


Sitting in the diner, I glared at the stupid mobile game in my hand as Prompto stuffed his face with a breakfast burrito.

"Eat any faster and you'll choke, Prompto," Ignis scolded.

"Shcorry," he said in between bites.

"You fellas get along fine without me?" Gladio's gruff voice greeted us. I put down my phone after losing another fight in King's Knight.

"Whoa, what happened to you man?" Prompto piped up next to me. I look up to Gladio sporting a new scar stretched across his forehead.

"It's a long story. Might be better for another time. So, is Cidney all done?" said Gladio.

I shrugged. "Haven't checked up on her yet."

"Is Prompto done stuffing his face then?"

Prompto rolled his eyes. "Yeah I'm done. Let's go! Cidney awaits us."

Leaving the diner and approaching the garage, Cidney pulls the Regalia out...with some larger wheels on it, and the outer coating turned into something out of a dark comic book. I don't even think my old man had a car like this before.

"The Regalia Type-F!" Cidney gestured to the car. "It can fly you anywhere you want."

"Fly?" I gawked. "You mean it's an airship?"

"Yep! Be sure to fly her carefully though. Don't wanna bang her up badly."

I swore I gave Ignis and Gladio a heart attack when I looked to them with a wide smile. "Well? Better get going now."

The four of us hopped into the Regalia, me behind the driver's wheel. Cidney leaned over on my side to show me how to activate the airship.

"You press this button right there and it activates the wings and the lift-off action. Be sure to buckle up though I don't need ya'll to get hurt okay?"

"Yes ma'am!" Prompto saluted.

I turned on the car. "We'll be careful out there. I promise to bring the Regalia back in one piece. King's word."

She tipped her cap to me. "Thank you Your Majesty. Good luck."

I paused before pressing on the gas. Majesty. It was the one address that reminded me that this was real. Dad was gone. I was taking his place, whether I wanted to or not.

Moving out of Hammerhead, Prompto had his camera secured to his hand. I could see in the rearview mirror Gladio had his jaw clenched and Ignis' white knuckles gripped the edge of his seat.

"You guys are quiet," I teased.

"Noct, are you absolutely sure you can fly at all?" Ignis secured his seat belt.

"Do you want me to give an honest answer or lie for your own comfort?"

"Lie."

"Okay I am 100% percent confident that I know how to fly an airship."

"That does not make me feel anymore comforted."

Gladio elbowed Ignis' ribs. "I would say focus on the road but where we're going there is no road."

Ignis sighed. "That's what I am afraid of."

Pressing the airship button, The car lurched into high gear. In panic I latched onto the wheel tightly to maintain some semblance of control.

"Whoa!" Prompto exclaimed, looking over his side of the car to see the wings fold out.

"Noct, do you even know how to lift off?" Ignis questioned. An oncoming car was headed for us, and I doubted the wings were not to going clip the poor sod.

"Uhh, up?" I jerked up on the wheel. The car went up a little. "Oh so that's how it works."

"You're doing really bad to ensure Iggy's confidence back here," Gladio laughed.

I pulled up on the wheel again, the airship taking off on the road. The wing narrowly missed the oncoming car by a few feet. The honking of their horn was relieving in a way, since I didn't feel anything hit them.

The airship automatically put the roof over our heads. I released the wheel once we got to what I thought was cruising altitude. Don't ask me if I knew this stuff I didn't have a pilot's license.

"This is awesome!" Gladio spoke.

Ignis' shoulders relaxed. A smile grew on his face. "Now this gives 'taking the high road' a new meaning."

I laughed. "Where we're going, we don't need roads."

Prompto held up his thumb. "Until we need to land of course."

"Well uh yeah about that…"

Gladio crossed his arms and smirked. "You have no clue how to land do you?"

"Nope."

Ignis sighed and rubbed his temples.

"Uh guys, shouldn't we be looking at a map?" Prompto said.


Cor's phone vibrated in his pocket. Pulling it out, he saw just one text from Gladio.

I'm alive. Thanks man.

Relief washed over his shoulders. The fear of losing the King's Shield was too great of a risk right now, but who was he to try to stop him? He was too stubborn, like his King.

"Marshal, we have another family in need of assistance," informed a Crownsguard.

"Show them to me."

The guard nodded.

Cor put his phone away. "I hope our King comes back soon. We need him," he whispered to himself.


"We certainly need to work on your landing, Noct." Ignis gestured to the damaged front bumper.

I shrugged. "Hey at least we made it in one piece."

We landed on a tiny strip on the side of a mountain hidden in the forests of Duscae. The nearest roads were too far for us to have drove to it. Prompto had the map out to figure out exactly what this place was. "We're close to it according to this map. It's supposed to be a tower of some sort."

"A tower? Should be easy to spot." I crossed my arms. "Let's go."

Marching through the thick trees, we found a dirt path covered in overgrown vines and dead tree branches.

"Guess we're on the right track," Gladio said while taking big steps over the overgrowth.

Ignis took smaller steps with caution. "I'd imagine it's been years since your father had journeyed through here."

I scoffed. "I have a feeling he hasn't come here at all."

Prompto was ahead of us, camera out trying to snag pictures of the area.

"Watch your step Prompto," Ignis warned.

Click. The blonde took another picture before releasing his camera. "Sorry. Just taking pictures for documentation. I don't think any book in Insomnia details this place."

"I wonder why that is," I muttered, stumbling over a stray piece of branch. My hands reach out to latch onto a nearby tree to steady myself.

"Guys I think we found it." Gladio pointed to a clearing. On the side of another mountain was a tower, a huge tower. The outside of it was worn marble, much like the Citadel's glossy black floors. Vines and moss coated most of it. Most impressive was how it stretched past the clouds.

"I guess it's too late to get the Regalia and fly up to it?" Prompto gulped.

"The Regalia isn't built for that, besides, playing enough games makes me think there's some sort of anti-aircraft measure in place," I said, brushing off a stray leaf. "Welp, I guess we have to go inside."

Walking up to the door, I brush aside the dust and dirt. Carved into the thick concrete doors was Etro surrounded by the stars. Engraved on the bottom was the name: Stellaris Tower.

"Well now, who wants to bet this tower has something to do with the stars?" I asked no one in particular.

"Who wants to bet there's tons of rampant Cie'th inside?" Prompto shuddered.

"Be on your guard," advised Ignis. I pushed the doors open and stepped inside, turning on the light clipped to my jacket pocket.

The entire inside was the dark night sky. Everything from the tops of the stairs to the walls to the floors. Even the arched ceiling was the night sky. Almost as if someone took the night and just painted it so vividly in this tower. Even worse was how disorienting the stars moved whenever I moved, much like when staring at the real sky. It was like a window to the night.

"This is trippy," commented Prompto.

"Imagine what could have made this place…" Gladio stared at the ceiling.

"Followers of Etro no doubt. Perhaps ancient Lucians?"

"I mean..." I began walking up the trippy stairs. It was like walking on the literal night sky. "There is a Royal Arm here more than likely. Lucians would have to have been here at some point."

"Noct, look out!" Gladio slammed me aside as a Cie'th launched at me from above. His greatsword pushed the four-legged Cie'th up the stairs, allowing him to stab it once to kill it.

"Thanks man."

"Yeah. Better have your ears and eyes open in this place."

I nodded to him. "Eyes and ears open."

"And a hand on your weapon," Ignis added.

This tower was dragging down on me already.

Slice! Stab! Bash! Gladio whipped his greatsword around the cave as a dozen Cie'th sieged upon him. His mind couldn't focus on the skirmish at hand though. The words of his father continued to echo around in his ears.

"Duty is first before your emotions."

Ignore the voices, he thought. Gladio continued on, trying desperately to push aside the words. "Words are just that, words."

"Our demons cannot get in the way."

He grunted. "Speak for yourself."


"Ugh, can't there be less gross Cie'th wandering around this place?" I wiped slime off my elbows from a flan, shuddering at the sticky, goopy texture.

"You could always shoot them," said Prompto, twirling his gun in his hand. I threw some slime at his hair. His eyes widened as it dripped down his neck. "Augh! Thank Noct!" he shouted, trying to wipe it off.

"When you're done fellas, we have a door to open in front of us." Gladio stared at another stone door with the likeliness of Etro. Above her head were lines of words in an ancient language.

"I uh, what does it say?" I asked.

Ignis put his finger underneath his chin. "It's written in a Lucian dialect so old there would be no resources out there that could translate it."

Reaching out and brushing my fingers over the words, the words light up in a blue glow. The letters remained the same, but a burst of magical energy surged up my spine, a shudder escaping my mouth. Squinting at the letters again, I could understand them.

Her divinity came from nothing

Cast aside by her creator

Power from one's death

By her own hand

Stars wept

And thus she commands them.

"Whoa...That's new," I spoke, dragging my fingertips across the carvings.

"What does it say, Noct?" Ignis pushed his glasses up to study the words more closely.

I repeated the words I could now read out loud verbatim. "This sounds like a verse from the story of Etro, only less...old," I added.

A shudder from the stone and the door opened before us.

Prompto scratched at his cheek. "Looks...dark in there. Spooky."

My hand remained frozen in place where I rested it on the stone. "That's one way to open a door."

"Just speak some words out loud and hope for the best?" The blonde readied his gun.

"Yep." I pulled out the Blade of the Mystic, proceeding forward.

The room was a wide spire or maybe that was just the night sky painted on the walls tricking my mind. The floor was once again the night sky, giving off the illusion we were walking on glass. The Royal Tomb was standing in the far back of the room.

"Seems odd nothing is here," Ignis noted.

Gladio prepared his great sword over his shoulder. "Better keep all senses open. Don't know what could be lurking in the dark."

Flames burst out of thin air. Without thinking, I shoved all three of my friends to the sides to get them out of range. Ignis slammed into Prompto, sending both of them to the floor. Gladio tripped and hit the wall, using his great sword to regain balance. Immediately activating my Armiger I blocked almost all the flames being shot at me. The tips of my coat and boots scorched.

"Noct!" Ignis shouted as I strained to block the wave of flames. My shield of weapons caused the fire to ricochet off to the sides. The flames hit whatever was trying to kill us in the face. In the brief heat I could make out a snout of the creature.

Flipping on my light, I pointed it at the creature. Its head was that of a cheetah, legs of a bull, another head out of its back of a goat, wings made of feathers, and the tail of a hissing snake. It jumped back at the flames, the snake rising up and letting out a wail, a fork of lightning shot out of its mouth towards me. I phased out of the energy's way, the thunder shaking the room. Having its attention, I flied up with my Armiger, phasing to the side.

"Wha, what is this thing?!" Prompto cried out in a panic as he scrambled to get off the floor and summon a machine gun.

"A chimera! A creature lost to history," Ignis stated, summoning a lance to his hand.

Teleporting away, I launched all my weapons at it, zooming in close to its mouth. "So not a Cie'th then. Got it." The chimera screamed, the slashes I inflicted on the cheetah's head oozing black blood. "Never mind guys. It's a Cie'th." Unknown to me, it raised its giant fist and slammed me to the side. The part of my back that was scarred hit the wall in full force. Hot pain shot across my scars, my vision going black for a moment.

"Noct! Are you okay?" I heard Prompto ask me as he ran over to aid me. Shoving a potion in my hand, I gulped it down and tossed the bottle aside. The searing pain dulled but still lingered.

"Yeah, I am," I answered with confidence. "How are we going to deal with this thing? It hits like a truck."

Gladio was parrying the chimera's flaming fist. "How about magic?" he suggested through gritted teeth.

Ignis held up his lance, trying to find an opening from behind the chimera, but was distracted by the snake tail instead. "Might need a very specific type of magic there."

"Noct?" Prompto pulled me up and pointed to fragments of crystals nearby. "Are those magical?"

My heart pounded, whether in reaction to the magical properties within the naturally occurring crystals or in excitement I was not sure. "Indeed those are. Quick, Prompto, get me a flask." I sprinted over to the rock formations, crystals inside holding magics of all types. Heat, energy, and cold. I absorb a little bit of the heat and energy into my palm. Prompto hands me a flask and I poured it in. Turning to the cold crystals, my grasp pulls in all I can hold, pouring it into the flask.

"Hurry up over there!" Gladio parried the giant fist away, only to nearly be hit with the other.

"Hold on." I poured the last of the cold magic into the flask. "One more thing just to make sure." Summoning an antidote to my hand, I filled the flask. The magic swirling inside turned a sickly green for a moment.

"Quickly Noct! It's taking off!" Ignis warned me. Shutting the flask tightly, I ready myself to toss it but the beast had spread its wings and flew around the room. My Armiger had worn off, so I had to think.

"Prompto, I need your help to get that thing out of the air," I ordered him, readying my sword for warp.

"You got it!" He pulled out his machine gun. Adjusting it, he took aim. "Whenever you're ready Noct."

I warped to its cheetah face, slashing at it once again. Taking a lance into my grip, I launch over behind it to face the snake. "Now, Prompto!" A series of continuous shots from Prompto sent the chimera on a flailing rage. Swapping out the lance for my greatsword, I sliced the snake off the chimera. In pure pain, it fell to the ground. I tossed the flask at the beast. "Get down guys!"

The room instantly felt colder than the grotto underneath the waterfall. The chimera gasped out trying to breathe fire. Poison seeped into its open wounds. Collapsing on its last legs, I warped to it and stabbed the Blade of the Mystic into its head. The chimera eventually stopped moving, turning into black smoke, but all its black blood remained.

I wiped my hands of the blood. "That was messy and gross."

Gladio put his greatsword away. "Wonder how long that thing has been here."

"Centuries probably, if Noct's father hasn't been here before," Ignis pondered.

"Let's grab what we came here for and go." I walked over to the tomb. The sarcophagus held in its grasp a bow. I collected it as usual. The Bow of the Clever.

I was only getting stronger and stronger. One more weapon to gain in the outer provinces of Lucis that we know of.

"Let's get out of here Noct." Prompto shivered. "That magic flask was certainly potent."


Reaching a door in the cavern, Gladio paused, setting his great sword down. "I don't fear death, or this guy…" He looked down at his palm. "But if I cannot gain power, how will I protect Noctis and the future? If this isn't my answer in the end, what is?"

His hip burned. He flinched as he put pressure right on his brand. "The hell is this?"

The ground rumbled as a crack in the rock floor opened up. A grey hand burst forth from the crack. As the crack grew, another hand appeared out of the ground.

Gladio's brand stopped hurting as he saw a head pop up. Latching onto his weapon for stability, he could only marvel at the Archean climbing out of an abyss.

"I am Titan. Prove your strength to me l'Cie."

"Oh great my turn right?" Gladio pulled his sword out of the ground. "Alright, you want me to prove myself, I will!" With a battle cry he launched himself at the foot of Titan. The Archean growled as the steel blade connected with his ankle. Raising his foot to kick the l'Cie, Gladio rolled back out of range. "Huh. This is gonna be tough."

Looking up, he could see the giant has shrunk himself down to be able to navigate the cavern. His head was a mere 10 feet away from the high ceiling. Gladio thought back to when Noct and Prompto dealt with their eidolons. Noct held Bahamut off as long as he could. Prompto somehow knew the weakness of Alexandr. The Shield thought to himself...what could he do to prove his strength? Raw force was going to collapse the cave.

As Titan swiped at him with his hand, Gladio held up his great sword to block the blow. Even with all his muscle power being thrown into the block he was still being pushed back effortlessly by Titan's grip.

He caught a glimpse of the giant's face. A scar ran down his right eye, much like how Gladio himself had a scar on his left eye. But pieces of the crystal meteorite remained around Titan's eye.

Parrying the hand away, Gladio put away his greatsword and pulled out his shield. Titan picked up a boulder and tossed it Gladio's way. The l'Cie grabbed onto a ledge on the wall and began climbing up. He paused to deflect the boulder away with his shield.

"You're definitely not making this easy." Gladio smirked. "Good thing I go down fighting."

Ascending higher and higher, Gladio had to jump from ledge to ledge of rocks just to avoid more boulders being thrown his way. Once he was high enough, he switched out his shield to his blade. He leapt forward, stabbing the great sword right into Titan's weakened eye. He growled in pain, his hand reaching up to pull the greatsword out. Gladio summoned it away and leapt back down to the ground.

"I see now. Your desire to protect this land lends you strength. I concede l'Cie."

His eye healed up immediately. He bowed to Gladio before absorbing himself into his brand.

Gladio laughed. "That...was interesting to say the least. Though I wonder why after the fal'Cie's death her eidolon choose me."

"Gladdy?" the voice of Iris echoed in the cavern.

A frown grew on Gladio's face. "Iris? What?"

Iris came into view. Dirt covered her knees and hands. "You're alive."

"Iris? Why the hell are you here?"

"Cor told Monica you were here and I begged her to bring me to you."

"Iris go home to Cape Caem, now."

"No! Cape Caem is not my home Gladio! Insomnia is!"

"Insomnia is gone Iris."

She crossed her arms. "Don't think I'm a fool Gladiolus. I know of the rumors of Noct's return. Insomnia will be reclaimed, and maybe we can put Dad to rest." A tear slipped out. "He was our world Gladio. And now he lives on in you. All this nonsense you're doing for strength and power to protect the King...Do you honestly think I can just stand by and watch you and Dad die again?!"

Gladio couldn't say anything. His conquest for power was truly selfish.

"Cor told me the reason Dad never undertook the challenge of Gilgamesh. It was because his duty was to the King. He knew already he was strong enough to protect his King to the very end. You, I thought you knew better than this. What if Gilgamesh kills you? What about Noct? Your king?!"

What about Iris? Gladio knew she was implying it. He looked to the door that held Gilgamesh within. After being chosen by an eidolon, did he really need to prove himself to a merciless soldier? No, he concluded. Gilgamesh would have to wait for the next fool to come around.

He walked over and hugged his sister. "You're right, Iris. Right now I have a duty to my king, and that is enough."

The two walked out of the cave together. "Tell Noct that he has the best Shield in the world," she whispered in his chest.

He smiled. "I will."


"So how do we get there again?" I asked Prompto who was staring at the map of Eos for the past ten minutes. Hands on the wheel of the Regalia, I steer the airship out into unknown but very sandy territory. I hate sand, especially when it gets everywhere in your shoes and clothes.

"Uh uhm well uh...Left?"

"I went left twice already, going left again will make me go in a circle."

Prompto crinkled up the map and tossed it in the back to look out his window.

"Please fold it up properly next time Prompto," scolded Ignis as he began to fix the map up.

"Sorry Iggy. Noct, We're right above where we need to be, can you land?"

"Certainly," I answered.

"If he doesn't crash us," Gladio added.

"Quiet in the peanut gallery please."

I could see his smirk in the rearview mirror. Pulling the wheel down, I slowly ascend down to the ground to get a better view of a landing point. A tiny road out in the middle of the sandy wasteland was my target. This was going to suck.

Going even lower, I nudged the airship into what I presumed was the right direction. MY body was jerked forward when we finally hit land, and I slammed on the breaks like mad.

We stopped a mere feet away from this stone gate entrance underneath a rock.

I let out a sigh in relief. "At least that's less damage Cidney will have to repair."

Prompto gave me thumbs up. "And he sticks the landing folks!"

"I'm just glad to be alive," Ignis spoke.

Getting out of the Regalia, I walked over to the doors. Not only was Etro depicted on it, but also two other figures on it. Pulse and Lindzei.

"That's new. What is this place?" I said.

"According to the locals it's a temple," Ignis informed me.

"This place has got to be older than even the Stellaris Tower," Gladio commented.

Prompto reached for his weapon. "What do you think we'll find inside? More Cie'th?"

My fingers traced the ineligible words carved above Etro's head. "Something tells me we'll find much more than Cie'th." Pushing the doors open, stairs lead into a dark abyss before me. "This looks promising." I go forward, taking each step carefully.

Ascending into the darkness, I turned on my light to take note of the murals painted on the walls of the narrow passageway. One was of a male figure, searching for something. The next mural was of him creating the three gods, Pulse, Lindzei and Etro. The farther I went in, the darker the murals became. Then the stories depicted only through words became more familiar. Etro killing herself, the blood from her death creating humanity, ascending to the Unseen Realm, fondness for humanity…

That bothered me, like an unreachable itch. If Etro was so fond of us humans then why does she sit around and do nothing? Why does she let Niflheim do as they please? Why couldn't she have done something when Dad could have been saved? Insomnia wouldn't have been lost, my world wouldn't have gone to pieces…

The last mural at the bottom of the stairs showed the gate to the afterlife, where Etro rests upon.

"Wow, this must be where they began worshipping the gods a long time ago." Prompto gawked at the mural.

"They say that once the world was united in their belief and worship of Pulse, Lindzei, and Etro," Gladio said.

"Then people began disagreeing on who was worth worshipping," Ignis continued. "Many thought Etro was weak for having no abilities, and succumbing to death itself."

"And so," I added. "They split up into factions, which grew into the kingdoms we know. Tenebrae and Accordo who believe in Lindzei, who created humanity itself. Niflheim and Solheim, who believed in Pulse because he created the world. And then Lucis, who worships Etro because she is thought to be fond of humanity."

"The crystals are believed to be artifacts left behind by the gods." Ignis adjusted his glasses. "Each kingdom had their own that they swore to protect. But in the events of wars, only one remains, and Lucis grows into a powerful magical nation from all the rest."

Prompto's jaw was nearly to the floor. "Man, some history in this place."

"This was a temple from so long ago," I said, kicking up dust. "So long ago, even from before Lucis."

"Question, who created Pulse, Lindzei, and Etro?" Prompto asked.

"No one knows. That information was lost to history," Gladio answered.

"Oh. That sucks."

We reached the very bottom of the stairs only to be greeted by an open room with a statue of the three gods in the center, reaching out. A single keyhole in Etro's dress was carved in.

"Wanna bet this is where we need to go?" I pointed to the keyhole.

"Aww, the key might be lost," Prompto sighed.

"No shame in poking around this place," I said. "Though it is dark and creepy here." I pointed my light around the room. Sure enough there was torches around just begging to be lit. Lighting a small flame in my hand, I ignited the torches, causing the dark room to glow with a yellow light.

The directions the statue of three faced determined the room's colors. The direction Etro faced was black. Lindzei was white. Pulse's red. It was hard to tell with all the dust and dirt on the floor at first.

"I wouldn't be surprised if this started when people started getting divided over who was worthy of their time." Gladio brushed the dust off a wall.

"Ah, I guess we should start searching these hallways," I quipped, staring down a hallway off to the left of the statue with tons of broken doors inside.

"We have to go into every single room?" Prompto whined.

"Yep."

First room had a flan. "Ah crap!" I shouted as I dodged out of their slimy grossness.

No key.

"Noct, do guns actually phase these things?" Prompto questioned as he pried an imp off his face.

"I don't know."

"That's not helpful."

No key.

I winced as Prompto, Ignis, and Gladio's hair was burned at the tips from the fire bomb I threw into the room. "My bad."

No key.

A reaper swiped his scythe right at me, but I stabbed him right in the bone with the Sword of the Wise in time before he beheaded me.

"Noct, can you not almost die next time?" grunted Gladio.

"Maybe."

No key.

"I swear there's sand in my underwear," Prompto groaned, trying to remove dust from his shoes.

"Quit your whining and open this door." Gladio rolled his eyes.

No key.

"We searched this entire complex from top to bottom and no key." I threw up my hands in exasperation in the main hall. "Unless..." I was such an idiot. I took out the key used to open all the previous tombs and inserted it into the statue. A turn and click, and the wall between the left and right hallways opened up.

"Wait...all that work for a key we already had?" Prompto tore at his hair.

I shrugged. "Eh, it was just worth a shot. I question why this key is the same one for all the other tombs barring Stellaris Tower."

The part of the statue that was Etro was facing the very door we just opened before us. Huh.

"Whatever the reason is, we can figure it out later. Let's get a move on," Gladio said.

The room was dark like the top of Stellaris Tower. Before us immediately was the tomb, and within, its weapon. The last weapon I needed.

Before I could reach out to collect the Greatsword of the Tall, the sound of shifting feet in front of the tomb stopped me.

"Who is there?" Prompto echoed in the room. I summoned my engine blade to my hand.

"The...light...of...the...Crystal...shines...so bright," a voice rasped. I turned my light to point at the figure before the tomb. It was a woman, half her face rotting away, hair frayed and falling off. Her clothes were so ancient, not a semblance of the modern age. Feathers ripped down to the bone adorned her rusted armor. "My...king...you...have returned…" She limped forward. "The world...so forsaken…You're...tainted...like them…" She drew her blade. "Let me...put you...out of your misery...Come power of...Etro!"

She summoned a barrage of clones of herself.

"That's a lot of Cie'th!" Prompto pulled out his gun in panic. He shot at one clone, and then they all leapt at us.

I sliced one down, and then another, and another. The crazed warrior of Etro screamed randomly, the echoes off the walls making it harder to discern who was real.

"Keep your eyes peeled. There has to be a tell on which one is our enemy." Ignis stabbed another clone with a dagger.

A cold grasp on my elbow yanked me up into the air. "Ack!" I activated my Armiger, allowing myself to float in the air. The real version of Etro's warrior floated before me.

"Tainted...just like me...just like all of them…" She launched herself at me with her dark blade. I used all ten of my Royal Arms to block the attack. But then she immediately unleashed another strike, and then another. I fanned out my weapons to catch her. The Blade of the Mystic caught her in the gut, but she ripped the translucent weapon right out. Blood dripped from her stomach and onto her rusted armor. Effortlessly, I commanded all of my weapons to pin her down to the ground while she was distracted.

I float over her as she struggled to get up. "Bhun...Bhunivelze...what...have you...wrought...upon us?" she rasped.

All the clones shattered like mirrors. Her body faded away in black ashes.

I crossed my arms. "Bhunivelze?"

"That name could be to anyone. A monarch, the real name of a fal'Cie.." Ignis pondered.

"Or it's the name of the guy who created Pulse, Lindzei, and Etro," Gladio suggested.

"I wouldn't be surprised if it was Bhunivelze," I said, looking to where the Cie'th died. "Rest in peace, warrior of Etro."

"Can we uh, get a move on before some other ancient being comes to kill us again?" Prompto asked.

"Yeah yeah." I collected the last Royal Arm. The Greatsword of the Tall. "Let's get out of this place. I'm sure night has fallen by now."

"I just wanna look around a little bit, see what else is in here," I said, looking around the dusty walls. Writing coated the walls, in ancient writing even older than the language used in Stellaris Tower. I reached out to the center wall's writing, for it only had one piece on it. Brushing the dirt away with my grasp, my mind suddenly could understand the words before me. "This is interesting."

"What does it say?" Gladio asked.

"It's a poem." I took a deep breath and read it out loud in one go.

Reading the poem out loud, it shook me to the core.


"Stell?" I asked as she approached me in the dream.

"Yes Noct?"

"Your name means star right?"

She paused, eyes widening. "Yes?"

"Why the name Stella?"

She cleared her throat. "My mother said that stars never go out. Their light is always there, always constant during the day, and during the night. Now then Noctis, your name means night? Why your name?"

My face turned at least thirty different shades of red. Crap. "Uh well, I was born during the night. My mother thought it fitting."

"Did you ever know your mother?"

I shrugged. "Nothing. She died when I was still a baby. Dad took care of me for my entire life."

"Oh. I'm so sorry."

My heart thudded in my chest at the way she said it, as if it was her fault. Face hot...Etro please make it stop. "Don't be Stell. Stuff happens outside of our control."

She smiled at me. "At least you have the ability to take control of your own life, right?"

I'm a lost cause. No...No way. I was thinking about it too hard. "Y-Yeah. Control." Was I losing control over the situation?

Why can't I stop staring at her? The words of Ignis, Prompto, and Gladio came to mind when we spoke of my decision to talk to her.

"What if...I mean...what if you let something slip? What if she lets something slip? It's very risky."

"Besides, I think His Highness wants to spend more time with Her Highness anyways."

"Ohh is someone enjoying the company of the Princess?"

"Better make him brush up on his manners Ignis. Wouldn't want him to embarrass himself in front of Her Highness."

Shut up. Why wouldn't they shut up? Why can't I breathe? The smell...wait no her aroma was clouding my judgment.

"Noct? Noctis?" She waved her hand in front of me. "You look like death warmed over. Is something wrong?"

"Nothing Stell I just...well I nearly died twice in the past two days."

"And yet you didn't." She grasped my hand. "Please tell me what's been going on that put you into danger?"

I proceeded to tell her, but it was more of talking at her because I was too occupied with how pretty she looked, the way she fidgeted with her petite hands…

Gah Noctis Lucis Caelum get a grip. She was too distracting...and the words of the guys didn't help either.

"We must continue later Noct. We're about to wake up."

Oh I was waking up. But no, I wanted to stay with her. Her company was too enjoyable. "See ya...Stella."


I awoke with a start. My mind in full blown panic. There was just no way. I felt like a traitor, the very thing I hated. I hated those Glaives who betrayed my old man, I hated those bastard Niffs for tricking and lying to Lucis, I hated them. All of them. And I most loathed myself for feeling this way. The guys were right.

I thought about my options. If I took back Lucis and reigned as King, would the politics even let me consider any type of courtship with a strained relationship? Who knows. I couldn't twist everything to satisfy my own selfish desires. My feelings as King should be distant from my choices. Dad kept me safe because he needed an heir, his love for me came second to that. I of course would need a Queen to rule beside me eventually, but with how Dad declared Tenebrae enemies long before I was born complicates the matter considerably. But a part of me still hoped foolishly. That I could have a courtship, be selfish. The first King of Lucis who in one fell swoop fell into a strong romantic love and brought two kingdoms together. But right now we were enemies first, friends second. It didn't matter at all. Friendship is one thing, but if anyone suspected there was romantic affection involved that made it even harder. Kingdoms and alliances are not forged by love. She still worked for the Niffs and I was the unofficial King of Lucis.

It was hard for me to swallow. I, Crown Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum of Lucis, was undoubtedly in love with Princess Stella Nox Fleuret of Tenebrae.


This chapter was really, really hard for me to write from start to finish. I hope it's interesting enough to read. My apologies for being over a week late with this one.