The stitching was pulled tight. Nyx growled in response shooting a look to the nurse who gave a small sympathetic smile before finishing her work finally sealing the wound in his side...again. It had split the previous night during his slumber. Next time Nyx met Ardyn he'd kill him. The city was left damaged though nothing compared to what could have been. Once it was all over the Prince was swiftly rushed to the nearest doctor, Luna had remained at his side. The cleanup had begun, the moving of debris back into the ocean, the rebuilding of the city, the return of the citizens. Nyx too had been rushed to the nearest medical help alongside Ignis. In comparison to what Ignis had suffered Nyx considered himself more than lucky. The man had lost his sight. The once poised man was now downtrodden, unsure where to turn, if he would walk into something. A cane had been supplied and Nyx would always remember the look of utter disgust and heartbreak that has washed over Ignis' face. The nurse stood tall now and produced a long roll of bandage to cover his side. Nyx raised his arm as she continued. He looked to the city that stretched to the horizon past the tall windows. What now? He had seen Luna safely to Altissia and prevented her from serious harm...now what was he to do? The Prince and Princess...they would wed no? It had originally been part of the peace treaty between Insomnia and Niflheim...did It still stand given everything that had happened? The nurse finished her bandaging and quickly gathered her tools, giving a small smile before retreating from the room. Nyx sat heavily. The door reopened a moment later. Luna. Quickly she closed the door behind her and rushed across the room. Luna's hands reached out and grasped his face in her hands she quickly placed a kiss to his brow. He was hesitant to respond however what his head thought and what his body did; differed. His arms reached out and grasped her waist pulling her close. She responded and wrapped her arms around him.

"Curse this infernal wound," Luna breathed. Nyx nodded in return. Luna pulled back now looking down to him her eyes saddened. "What is it?"

Nyx opened his mouth to respond however he hesitated and quickly closed his mouth once more. He shook his head. He fell away from her grasp and pushed himself off the chair searching for his uniform.
"Nyx..." She muttered. He could hardly look at her let alone bring up the subject they both knew had to be discussed. Pulling the uniform coat on he opted to leave the t-shirt off for now, the pressure of putting it on would only split his stitches. Shrugging the coat on he turned but kept his eyes elsewhere. He finally managed to find words but was disrupted when there was a knock on the door. Nyx spun. The blonde friend of Noctis appeared.

"Oh!" He muttered. "Sorry-Lady Lunafreya Noct still hasn't woken-"

"Highness," Nyx cut in bowing his head before fleeing the room. He pushed past the boy.

Leaning on the railings of a small bridge that extended between two levels of the city Nyx watched the water streaming beneath. The waters glistened and sparkled in the morning light. Perhaps his reaction the previous day had been unfair. It hadn't been her intention for any of it. Nyx felt the breeze against his heated cheeks, the hairs on the back of his neck rising. The people of the city had been returned, the homes of those that had been destroyed remained in temporary accommodation. The calm and quiet of the city was like the day after a hurricane. Although chatter and babble could be heard from all corners it was...silent. Anything would be quieter then the Hydraean's roars. He had swung the uniform coat over his arms but his chest remained exposed now, he allowed the breeze to wash over his skin. Is this how Gladiolus felt all the time?

"Thought I might find ya here," Libertus' voice shattered his peace. Nyx turned. Libertus had a heavily bruised neck and cheek, his lips to the right puffy and swollen.

"Well you look like shit," Nyx commented.

"Had an argument with some MT's-you know how it goes."

"They look worse?"

"If by worse you mean scrap metal then yeah," Libertus grinned striding forward and drawing level with Nyx. He too leant on the railings now. "You know the Princess was looking for you..."

"Huh?"

"Nyx. What happened?"

"Trouble."

"Did you...?"

"...yeah."

"Oh Nyx..." Libertus heaved shaking his head. Libertus wasn't angry nor ashamed but rather mournful for him. "You stupid bastard."

"Tell me something I don't know," Nyx admitted glancing down to his gloved hand. "Has the Prince woken up yet?"

"Not yet but speaking of, Ignis sent me to find you. Says he wants a word."

"Great," Nyx sighed. What could Ignis possibly want? Knowing the man it would be discuss their next move against the Empire. Ignis may have lost his sight but his mind was still sharp. Nyx however didn't make to move, he remained on the bridge. "What are we doing here?"

Libertus' eyes studied him. "What?"

"We went from...running that bar every night to living in Insomnia fighting the Empire when asked when our home was taken away. Then the same thing happened in Insomnia...we watched the world burn, again. And now...when did things get so complicated...?"

He received a sharp fist to the shoulder from Libertus. Nyx growled in response.

"Don't be doing that," Libertus grunted.

"What?"

"Just be damned thankful you're still here with us Nyx! Remember when you weren't gonna be? You're the damned Hero here and I ain't gonna watch you second guess yourself because you have eyes for that Princess. Get your act together, you're still a Glaive. You still got a king to fight for ain't nothing complicated about that!"

Nyx felt like a child being scolded. He cast his eyes to the water running beneath the bridge once more. He did have a King to fight for, he had a purpose to finish out this damned war and bring the Empire down. The princess may have been safely seen to Altissia as Regis had asked and now he would restore the King to Insomnia like Regis would have wanted.

"Our next objective will be to make for Gralea," Ignis nodded. His eyes now covered by a pair of darkened sunglasses. The scar that peeked from behind the left lens was more than noticeable. Red and raw, the stitching still fresh. The others had escaped serious wounds by the looks, only bruising and scratches. They were sat in the lobby of a hotel now.

"The Empire still possess the crystal. That will be our next move, reclaim it."

"Walk straight into the Empire capital? Why not," Gladiolus nodded.

"Eh...we sure we want to do that?" The blonde squeaked.

"Unfortunately Prompto-this is not about what we want but what is necessary," Ignis responded.

"You think it's necessary for you four to go waltzing into the Capital of Niflheim?" Nyx cocked a brow. He failed to see the sense. "I mean shouldn't the prince remain here?"

"Noct would not allow us to go alone, he will wish to be present." Ignis nodded. Nyx noted how Ignis didn't dare even attempt to locate people in the room, his gaze remained straight ahead of him. Why bother trying to see when you knew you couldn't?

"I'll go check up on him," Prompto spoke after a long moment, leaping out of his chair and bounding from the room. Gladiolus rose from his seat and wondered from the room leaving Ignis alone with Nyx.

"Was that your price?" Nyx asked after a moment.

"I don't know what-"

"Cut it. I've been there Specs...can't hide it."

Ignis heaved a long sigh shifting in his seat, "Indeed. It was...a minor sacrifice."

"Minor? You expect to go to Gralea too don't you?"

"There's no reason I can't...the sight will return."

"No it won't." There was a cold pause that hung in the air. Nyx shook his head. "Sorry."

"Don't be. If I cannot keep up then I will step aside and allow them to continue without me...though I will ask you not to mention this to any of them."

Nyx nodded before quickly speaking, "Of course. Your path is your own-don't let anyone tell you how to walk your path."

"Sound advice," Ignis praised.

"Don't get used to it." Nyx pushed off the wall now and spun.

"Nyx. Before you go?"

Nyx paused and peered over his shoulder. Ignis rose from his now, his hand firmly gripping onto the cane that had rested against the armchair side.

"I would ask you to come with us."

"You want me to come with you to Gralea?"

"In the instance I am no longer able to continue on I would hope Noctis would be kept safe in my absence...I know you will protect him as well as any other."

Nyx wouldn't lie. The prospect of walking into the capital was not a welcoming one. They would be outgunned, outnumbered and in unfamiliar surroundings. Nyx noticed that Ignis was looking at him now, or in his direction at least.

"Of course," Nyx finally nodded.

They descended down the docks, Nyx stood on the end of one of the piers his eyes looking back out over the ocean that stretched before them, a small stone in his hands that he turned and twisted in his grasp. The Prince had indeed awoken the previous day, the plan was relayed to him and the acceptance of Nyx to travel with them was quickly established. Libertus however Nyx opted to remain with the Princess. If there was one thing Libertus would do it would be to protect her at all costs. Heavy boots clunked over the pier in his direction. Nyx cast a light glance over his shoulder to see the prince striding forward. Nyx had come to the realization that Noctis seemed uncomfortable with the idea of people treating him like royalty and so he opted to treat the boy as he wished.

"Your Majesty," He nodded.

"You're the first one not to make any move to bow you know," Noctis said with a small snort.

"Did you want me to bow?"

"Nah," Noctis shook his head before drawing level with Nyx and following his gaze out over the waters.

"Is his majesty feeling better?"

"I am-and that's in no small part due to you."

"You're the one who fought Leviathan, I just fought some MT's."

"And saved Luna."

"I wouldn't be a good soldier if I didn't do my job." He would give his life for her, though he'd never admit it now.

"You didn't have to. Have your wounds healed?"

"Getting there," Nyx nodded. He kept telling himself that he had worse.

"In regards to Luna..." Noctis spoke now, his tone lowering. Here it was. Nyx braced. "If I had lost her...it would have been unbearable. She's done a lot for me...I've known her since I was just a kid. She was even looking after me then too."

Nyx couldn't tell whether he was getting a headache due to the fresh gash on his brow or whether it was due to the prince's words. The idea of another mentioning their feelings grinded on him. Why? Why tell him this? He glanced briefly to Noctis and nodded in understanding. "No problem."

"When all this is over..." Noctis inhaled deeply. "You'll always have a place in my kingdom, Nyx."

"Thank you," Nyx nodded. Noctis gave a small smile now before turning and beginning up the pier back toward the large ship that bobbed happily in the waters awaiting them. Nyx looked down to the small stone in his hands and twisted it over once more. It was a flat thing in the shape of a disc. Nyx couldn't feel the smoothness of the stone due to the leather that coated his hands, none the less he ran a thumb over its flat surface. After a moment he tossed it forward into the waters. It entered with a satisfying 'plop' before descending down into the dark abyss below. The breeze grew now. They would return to the main land and from there catch their train and head for the Capital. It would take them a number of days but they would get there. Eventually. Turning Nyx started back up the pier toward the boat that awaited him.

The party had returned to the main land. The sun was descending into its rest on the horizon once more staining the lands in an incredible orange hue. They had returned to Cape Caem. The boat had arrived into an underground harbour that had only a small hut on its dock and a set of stairs ascending to the house on the peak of the cliff above. Libertus and Gladiolus had disembarked onto the pier and were quickly fastening the ship back to the dock, Prompto was waving madly at the people who appeared on the dock. Familiar faces. Iris and Talcott. Nyx put a hand to the side of the boat and threw himself over the side, landing easily on the docks.

"You're back!" Iris beamed.

"Heya sis," Gladiolus nodded. Quickly the siblings held a long embrace. Nyx noted Prompto aiding Ignis from the ship followed by a stooped over Cid.

"Hate sitting for that long," The mechanic moaned as he trudged away. Talcott bounded forward toward Nyx.

"Nyx!" He grinned wide.

"Hey kid," Nyx nodded patting the top of the boy's head.

"I knew you'd come back!" Talcott grinned again. Iris was now taking turns to hug each of them. Cid waved her away and limped past a hand pressed firmly to his back. Noctis, Prompto and Ignis were more obliging. Nyx turned as Luna stepped down from the boat. She wore that same trench coat as before over a pair of jeans and long boots now. Her hair swept back from her face once again. She heaved a heavy cough, a hand coming up to cover her mouth. She wasn't well. Nyx could see it, she was exhausted again, her eyes tired and body frail. He extended a hand out to her. Luna pulled her hand away from her mouth, gave a faint smile and took his hand. He aided her off the last steps of the boat.

"Lady Lunafreya!" Iris' voice sounded. Luna looked up to see the girl bounding toward them. "It'll be so good to have another girl around here I can't even tell you!" Iris grinned now bubbling with excitement. Luna gave her best attempt at a warm smile.

"She's exhausted," Nyx nodded to Iris. The girl's smile faltered.

"Oh my gosh! Of course, what a day you've had. Please, follow me we have dinner prepared." Iris turned and bounded away again gathering the others. Luna looked to Nyx, that same tired expression he had seen in her eyes before. She said nothing but gave him a reassuring glance and smile. Her hand lingered in his a long moment.

"Come on guys! Monica's got dinner cooking!" Prompto's voice squealed. Nyx instantly released Luna's hand and spun to see the blonde boy disappearing up the stairs. They were alone the others had all ascended up the stairs into the house above. With a last smile Luna stepped past Nyx and moved toward the stairway.

Monica had cooked up a large pot of King's Stew that everyone had a healthy helping of. They had all sat in the main room of the downtrodden house, at the table and ate happily and conversed. Talcott and Iris wanted to know everything. Monica and Dustin wanted to know the details of what had happened. Prompto was more than willing to give them all what they wanted with great detail and enthusiasm. Gladiolus and Iris had spent a great deal of time with one another, as siblings would. Nyx couldn't blame them-they seemed close. It reminded him of him and Selena. They had been very close also...but. After dinner Cid had vanished to bed, along with a pensive Ignis and Noctis. Libertus, full of stew had fallen asleep on a couch in the corner of the house, Dustin and Monica vanished into the reaches of the house-Nyx was sure he recognized Dustin from a previous encounter. He was Crownsguard along with that other woman. Nyx sat on the railings of the fence that ran along the cape's cliff face. The sea breeze was refreshing though the smell of salt was beginning to get tiring. Savour it. There wouldn't be any of this in the Niflheim capital Nyx would be cursing it then too. Never happy was he? The sun was nearly entirely buried behind the horizon now. The daemons wouldn't take long to spawn, no doubt. Nyx could already hear their squeals and shrieks in the distance. Unhooking his legs off the lower railing Nyx dropped to the floor and turned carefully climbing over the fence and looking toward the house. The majority of the lights within were dimmed now. Three remained, one for his room and the others he couldn't be sure of. He began his trek back through the darkness, keeping the faint glows from the bedrooms in his sight. His boots crunched over the grass and dirt he noted the steps that rose onto the porch fall into view. Atop them she stood watching him.

"I meant to speak with you after dinner," Luna's voice was soft. Nyx froze in his steps and looked up to her. She was smiling uncertainly.

"You did?"

"Will you sit with me?" Luna gestured to the small and decrepit bench to the left of the main entrance of the house. Nyx watched her turn and cross the porch before sitting. Inhaling deeply Nyx obliged and trotted up the steps of the house and crossed to the bench taking a seat next to her. "I hear you are leaving to go with the Prince?"

"It has been requested. I will go."

"Into the capital?"

"If that's where I'm required."

"Nyx."

"Highness?"

"Do not start that again."

"Sorry...Luna."

She gave a faint smile, "I know you won't wish to hear it however I bid you stay."

"I can't."

"I know. All the same I thought I best make my feelings known in this instance. The capital is a dangerous place Nyx, there won't be much good left there. If I cannot convince you to remain here then I will simply say; be careful and return to me."

"To you?"

"I still haven't forgotten that night Nyx, it is the best memory I could possibly have," Luna reached out now and took hold of his gloved hand in hers. His eyes flickered down to their hands together. "I love you, Nyx Ulric. I need you to promise me you'll return."

"Of course I will-for you anything." His eyes turned to hers now, she gazed at him, her eyes bright even through the exhaustion. Slowly she leant forward and placed a kiss to his cheek, atop the scars as usual. That wasn't good enough for him. He drew back, studied her momentarily before leaning forward and pushing his lips to her own. They remained that way a long moment before drawing back only for air. Luna's head collapsed down against his shoulder and she rested against him, hand still clutching his own.