Chapter 20: Nothingness

{Insomnia: November 12th 2002, 11:45am}

The snow was falling heavily upon Insomnia this year, the sunlight casting a brilliant glow, but not melting the snow as midnight blue eyes watched from the window of a higher room within the Citadel. Messy black hair that had been cut a bit differently hung into the same deep eyes that watched the snow fall as the soon to be ten-year-old Prince of Lucis watched from a chair near the window. It had been six months since Tenebrae had fallen into the hands of the Nifilheim Empire and had thus been declared as an enemy of Lucis. Prince Noctis, since his return had become colder, more distant, and less willing to be around those his age. King Regis had noticed his depression; however, he found himself unable to cull the chill in his son's gaze, or the aggression in his behavior when someone drew too close to him.

Fairly jaded deep-blue eyes looked to a red notebook that had arrived that morning via Cari's efforts. It was Lunafreya's notebook; however, the boy looking at it was uncertain as to whether or not he would be able to stomach what could be written within it. Was it Luna's farewell to him? The last thing she wished she could say but found herself unable to? The boy tisked, looking away again before a cold ache developed in his chest as he curled up in the chair he was rested in and closed his eyes as he rested his head against his knees. Cari chirped a bit, causing the boy to flinch as she pinned her ears back at him.

"Noctis…." She called to him.

"….." she looked down.

"Please talk to me….Luna really wanted to get this message to you that she wrote in that notebook," Cari explained.

"I don't want to read it…" the Carbuncle sighed in defeat.

"Okay, then I'll read it," she stated as she jumped up on the small table near the chair and grasped the book before moving to the floor before nudging the book open where graceful handwriting was scrawled across the parchment while a photo of Noctis and Luna lying next to one another in the small meadow next to the gardens in Fenestala Manor was pasted to the page beside it.

"Noctis, are you sure you don't want to read this? It's kind of important," Cari explained as the boy shook his head.

"No…" the Carbuncle sighed.

"Okay…." Cari looked it over and then back to her Master who seemed detached from the situation as she took in a deep breath.

"Dear Noctis, I am writing this letter to you so that..." before Cari could finish the boy looked to the floor and reached down to pick it up from the Carbuncle as he looked at the page.

"Noct?" the boy read through the letter, looking at the photograph as the cold ache continued to spread from his chest.

Dear Noctis,

I am writing this letter to you so that you know I am safe. The Empire had no intention of harming myself or Ravus. As you more than likely have heard, my mother and father were killed in the infiltration; due to this, I will be ordained as Oracle when I turn thirteen. Pray for me to have the strength and grace my mother once possessed as the Oracle, I fear that I cannot do this position justice. However, the reason isn't because I am so young, or that I fear the Nifilheim Empire: but because you are not by my side.

After meeting you, I found a strength and courage within myself that I never knew I possessed. Needless to say, it is because of you that I have remained strong these last six months. Maria is still caring for me, and the others are still in Fenestala Manor and recently, I was granted two dogs; wolves. One is black and white and the other is white. The black I named Umbra, and the white one is Pryna….they've become good companions for the days that I cannot go outside the manor; which is more often than not now.

Still, not seeing you is possibly worse than just being locked up here. Lucis has become our enemy; however, as Oracle, I will never be your enemy dear Noctis. The reason is because I believe we can overcome any obstacles that may come after us. Noctis, you are my guiding light now, the reason I seek to find resolution with the Empire and pray that one day you and I will meet again.

If you have received this letter, please respond to me; not being able to see or speak with you the last six months has been painful as it feels as though something within me has broken down and that something dear to me has been stolen, and now I realize what that is: it's you. I pray that you are safe, and that I will one day see you again, my dear Noctis.

With love,

Lunafreya.

A drop fell to the page of the notebook as Cari looked up and saw tears slip down her Master's face as the boy closed the notebook, covering his face with his hands as tears continued to fall and his body shook with the effort it took to keep from screaming in what she knew was unrelenting pain. Of all the things that could have caused Noctis to feel pain, it was this: loosing someone as dear as Lunafreya. That girl had changed her Master, opened him up and showed him that it was fine to become close to others even though the world could hurt you in the most excruciating ways.

Now, Noctis was enduring another painful blow to his heart; however, instead of the empty, consuming loss that Cari had felt when Queen Aulea died: she felt strength within him. As the boy cried, the willingness to grow in strength and become someone capable of saving those he loved began to radiate from within him. These weren't tears of sorrow, but tears of hope, of affection: his heart cried not for the fact that Luna wasn't currently with him, but that she was alive, and safe and that one day they could see each other again.

"Noctis," Cari once more called his name and the boy took in a shaky breath, wiping his eyes.

"I-I'm fine….Cari….can you walk with me?" he asked as she looked to him.

"Where?" the boy took in another breath, his messy bangs hiding his eyes.

"I need to talk to Marshal Leonis…" his voice was empty; however, there was a faint quiver there that made her wonder what his intentions were.

"Alright, I'll come with you," she said.

"Thank you…."

The boy stood with little effort, walking down the length of his room and into the hallway, his bare feet slightly tapping against the black marble as he marched forward, walking swiftly and with a purpose that Cari hadn't seen in him since they were in the Dreamscape. After they had returned from Tenebrae and the news had been delivered, Noctis had shut down completely: refusing anyone entry into his room and not speaking a word to anyone. Cari now watched him and wondered what had spurred him on as he was now while the boy continued his walk past servants and guards who stared onward at him in confusion whilst he never once paused.

Cari followed Noctis further down the hallway as the boy kept his gaze down, bangs hiding his eyes while he swiftly walked further and further from the room he had been hidden away in for the last few weeks and into the lower chambers of the castle, passing a confused series of Council members as they saw the young Prince, barefoot wearing a black long-sleeved sweater, black pants, and nothing more briskly stride past them with purpose and intent that somewhat startled them while Cari looked to them before trotting along after the boy as he slowly came close to the training hall. Slowly but surely, Cari began to realize what the boy was doing and a smile slowly tugged at her mouth.

"Show me what you're going to do Noct…" she kept the thought to herself as the boy rounded a corner and was greeted with the sight of none other than General and Council Elder Clarus Amicitia speaking with King Regis and Marshal Leonis. The three adults turned as the boy looked to them and they found themselves slightly surprised.

"Noctis?! You're….out of your room…" King Regis couldn't find the right words to muster up his shock at seeing his son standing there, looking a bit flustered and tired, but no less determined.

"It's good to see you moving about," stated Clarus as he gave the boy a small smile and he turned his gaze away and looked directly to Marshal Leonis.

"Marshal Leonis….I need to talk to you…" the Marshal felt his eyebrows raise a bit.

"Of course, what does my Prince ask of me?" he inquired as the boy looked to him.

"Teach me how to go into the battlefield." The three adults stared onward at the child in nothing short of surprise.

"It's not that I'm not flattered that you desire to learn how to properly combat foes alongside a team….it's just that it's quite sudden," Marshal Leonis stated.

"I know….I just can't sit by anymore…." King Regis looked to his son as he heard those words and felt compelled to go to him.

The King of Lucis, strode forward and crouched down before his child, placing a hand upon his shoulder as he stared into the boy's midnight-blue eyes and nodded his head, assuring the boy that his choice was right. It was in that moment that King Regis saw the person his son would become: a true King. A person who his people could depend on no matter what came his way. Noctis was the Chosen King; however, he was also someone that now King Regis knew would show his worth in the years that would follow and grow stronger and more prepared to handle his plight as the King chosen by fate to become far more than the ruler of mere mortals. Taking in a deep breath, the boy looked away from his father and to Marshal Leonis who read the emotions in the boy's gaze loud and clear.

"I can do this," he said.

"Very well, once you've been granted a clear bill of health by Doctor Acrux, we will resume training. Gladiolus and Ignis will be pleased to hear from you, just as I'm sure Lady Iris will." The boy gave the Marshal a faint smile.

"Thank you, Marshal Leonis," he stated this and the man bowed.

"You're welcome my Prince."

{Crownsguard Cafeteria: 1:40pm}

Gladiolus sat down with an exhausted sigh as he prepared to eat his first meal of the day. The soon to be fourteen year old was never one for a meal first thing in the morning, instead he did his normal routine of exercise before showering and heading towards the training hall where he carried through several sparring matches with Ignis and Marshal Leonis. Today however, Marshal Leonis had been a bit more chipper than normal and while he and Ignis were still put through what could be described as nothing short of hell on earth during the sessions they went through: something did feel different. However, Ignis had once more reminded him of how much time had passed since Tenebrae had fallen, bringing down the brighter mood of the teenage Amicitia.

Six months had come and gone with little news outside of Tenebrae other than the fact that Princess Lunafreya Nox Fleuret would become the youngest Oracle in history to ascend to the position. The days after that though, nothing else came; however, Ignis did attribute it to Prince Noctis's current lack of appearance within the Citadel. Typically, Gladiolus wouldn't have frankly cared what the boy was doing, but when he had gotten a good look at the child he realized how horribly leaving Princess Lunafreya behind had affected him. The boy had always been pale, but the sallow complexion of his skin made him look ill, his eyes dimmed and lifeless while his smile had vanished and been replaced with a cold glare that honestly shook him a bit. It was almost as if the boy had lost all of his warm and light; none of which was a good thing in either Gladiolus or Ignis's book.

"Damn, is that kid still down and out?" he asked as Ignis took a seat across from him.

"Noctis has been in a deep seated depression for quite some time. You must remember Gladio, he's not even ten years old yet." The older of the two teenagers sighed.

"I know…but damn, you would think that he's become some sort shut in. He may be a kid but that doesn't mean he has the right to just disappear from the world. He has an obligation as the current Prince and future King of Lucis and he hasn't been fulfilling his job at all," he said. As soon as the words left him though, a hand thumped him across the back of the head, causing him to look up.

"Nice to know that you've become Prince Noctis's future attendant instead of Ignis." The two stared onward.

"Marshal Leonis! Sorry, I just…" the Marshal shook his head.

"I understand, believe me I do. I've been very concerned about the Prince since he arrived back in Insomnia and was unconscious…I guess something happened that sent him back into shock or caused him to relapse; however, that all ended today," Marshal Leonis stated as the two teenagers gave him concerned looks.

"What do you mean by that exactly?" the Marshal looked to them.

"Prince Noctis came to me today and requested that I resume his training. I agreed because I believe it's the best option for him," he answered.

"Well…I'll be damned…" Ignis nodded.

"Indeed, it would seem our young Prince has gained quite the encouragement from something," he said.

"I'm not sure what it would be, but let me tell you this: the boy said that he didn't want to stand by anymore. I believe that he's become bolstered by something that happened in Tenebrae." Ignis hummed in momentary thought.

"It could very well be that his friendship with Princess Lunafreya has caused this sudden change. He's mourned his concerns and now has chosen a direct path to tread upon," he stated.

"I think so too. That's why as soon as Doctor Acrux grants him a clean bill of health, he'll be rejoining us in training." Gladiolus groaned.

"Perfect, this kid was such a pain in the ass," he said.

"Now Gladio, shall we remember that it has been quite some time since Noctis has joined us in training?" the Amicitia sighed.

"Fine, this is me….giving him the benefit of the doubt," he said as he dug into his meal. Marshal Leonis smiled.

"I believe this will be good for the three of you." Ignis fixed his glasses before reaching for his fork.

"Let us hope so," he muttered.

{Citadel: November 13th 2002, 9:40am}

Noctis sat on his bed with a slightly frustrated expression as Dr. Acrux wrote out his assessment of his health both physically and mentally. Anyone could tell that he was in a depressed state, his mind not handling the shock of the events in Tenebrae well. However, despite that, Noctis in the view of Dr. Acrux seemed as though he could use some assistance in recovering the rest of the way; therefore, with his assessment complete he looked to King Regis, Marshal Leonis, and Clarus who were waiting on his verdict to which Noctis only kept his gaze down at the floor as he waited with Cari settled next to him.

"Well?" asked King Regis.

"He'll be fine. He's in good health, and is sound enough to where he can resume training and he should be able to return to school as well." the three adults gave the doctor a sigh of relief.

"That's a blessing. This means you can continue on where you left off Noctis," King Regis stated as he settled down next to his son who nodded.

"Okay, thank you Doctor Acrux." The man smiled to him.

"Just take it easier for a few weeks until you readjust. Marshal Leonis, don't overdo it with him. If you push him too much he'll be sick, alright?" the Marshal nodded.

"Fine by me. Well, Noctis? After school tomorrow are you going to come in for training instead of just holding up in your room?" Noctis looked to him.

"You act like I've not been going to school," he muttered.

"He has a point: up until two weeks ago he was going to school. However, he wasn't faring so well with his classmates." Noctis sighed, rolling his eyes a bit.

"I can manage…it doesn't really matter anyways…" King Regis looked to the boy and ran his hand through his hair.

"Very well, you'll be returning to school tomorrow. I'm sure a lot has changed since you last were there. Thankfully, your tutor has been keeping you up to speed with your lessons," the King stated.

"I know…." Dr. Acrux smiled as he gathered up his things and stood.

"Well, let's allow the boy to rest and tomorrow he can begin to resume his normal routine," he said as the others left the room and King Regis pulled his child into a side-ways embrace before leaving as Dr. Acrux watched the child who merely flopped ungracefully back against the bed before returning to packing his equipment away.

"You lied to them….didn't you?" the doctor paused in his process.

"Not quite, but your hemoglobin is a bit odd not to mention your showing signs of mild anemia, plus an iron deficiency. I recommend adding more red meat and iron rich foods into your diet. Perhaps Ignis can teach you more?" the boy sighed at his statement.

"I guess so…..but am I sick?" he asked.

"No, merely a bit weak from your brush with death. I suppose your narcolepsy also stems from that, or you may be changing biologically a bit as well. You are at that age…" the boy threw an arm over his face as if to hide his blush.

"Don't remind me about that kind of thing…but…will the stuff you mentioned go away?" he questioned.

"In time your hormone levels will even out, not to worry." The young Prince shot up, shooting a glare at the doctor who laughed.

"T-That's not f-funny!" he snapped in a stammering tone as the doctor continued to laugh while looking at the boy before him.

"Noctis, you are very easy to embarrass. Try to be stronger, don't let things get to you as easily, but remember when to show emotion towards certain aspects. After all, knowing when to be brave is a remarkably great detail to know, in addition to the ease of knowing when to be softer. Just learn how to read those cues." The boy smiled just a fraction.

"Yea…thanks…Doctor Acrux," he muttered as the doctor came to him and reached out before running his hand through the boy's silken locks.

"You know, my daughter looks up to you and she's never met you." The boy looked to him.

"What do you mean?" he smiled.

"Her name is Oliva, she's only three, but she thinks you're very brave and strong. She says that one day she's going to be your doctor and then your children's doctor. I think it's quite the ambition for a three year old to have: serving her future King in such a remarkable profession," Dr. Acrux stated. Noctis looked to him and nodded a bit, smiling as he did so.

"Yea, she'll be great. Tell Oliva that I'll be happy to have her when she's ready to come join the staff at the Citadel, and it would be an honor to have her as a member of the Crownsguard just like her mother." The doctor stepped away and closed his satchel.

"I'm sure she'll be delighted to hear that news. Thank you, Prince Noctis," he stated as he bowed and left the room before Cari appeared from behind Noctis who looked to her.

"You're doing a bit better since you read Luna's note to you." The boy nodded.

"Luna's important…if she's gonna keep going then so should I. and we'll see one another again someday," he stated.

Cari nodded, curling up against her Master as the two of them resumed lying upon the bed, thinking as they did about the situations ahead of them in addition to returning to school, training, and going through the trials that their lives would face now. However, regardless of that both Noctis and Cari were certain they could tackle the trials together.

{Insomnia Academy: November 14th 2002, 11:00am}

A certain blonde-haired, blue-green-eyed ten year old watched as Noctis walked down the hallway, keeping to himself and ignoring the people who still persisted to ask him about Tenebrae and if he had heard anything from Princess Lunafreya. Prompto had heard about the events of Tenebrae and seen the emptiness within Noctis's eyes that first week back to school six months ago and decided against asking any questions; however, some things had changed. The major alteration in Prompto Argentum's life had been his choice of becoming healthier and it had improved greatly, but it wasn't just his own choice that had spurred the change: it was Princess Lunafreya's encouragement.

The young Princess of Tenebrae and the soon-to-be Oracle of Eos had written him a letter of appreciation when he had found one of her dogs by the name of Pryna. The white wolf-pup had become a close friend of Prompto's but now that she was back safe and sound the blonde-haired boy had used Lunafreya's compassion and consideration to fuel his drive to follow through with her requests despite the fact that he had only spoken to Noctis twice.

Dear Prompto,

I wanted to thank you for looking after Pryna while she was injured and making sure she got back to me safely. Seeing as you knew where to send her, I would assume that you saw our family crest on her collar and that you must know Noctis. I hope that you find him in good health and that he's recovering still; however, I have a favor to ask of you Prompto.

Please, if at all possible: watch over Noctis for me. I know he can be a tad reckless and doesn't have many friends; however, if there is someone like you by his side I know that he will be in safe hands. Noctis told me of two others while he was with me named Ignis Scientia and Gladiolus Amicitia; therefore, between the three of you and his father I am certain that Noctis will be taken good care of until I can see him again.

Just make sure he doesn't get himself into too much trouble, if that is at all possible and let him know that you are there for him when he needs it. There are a great deal of things that Noctis will still have to struggle through so I pray that the four of you will be capable of overcoming any obstacle that may grace you with its presence. Thank you for being a good friend to him and once more for helping Pryna.

Sincerely,

Princess Lunafreya Nox Fleuret of Tenebrae.

Since he had received the letter, Prompto had pushed himself further and further, struggling to do better with his health and weight and had succeeded in a far greater means that he had first thought that he would. Now, six months later he was already slimming down, becoming more capable of running long distances and staying fit; however, he still didn't have the courage and self-esteem to formally introduce himself to Noctis in hopes of becoming a friend to him. Regardless of that though, Prompto was determined that by the time they started middle school, it would be time. Taking a deep breath Prompto nodded as he headed to class and prepared for the days that would follow, knowing one thing was for certain:

"I can't let Princess Lunafreya down!"

{….}

If you face the fear that keeps you frozen….

{…}

Author's Note: I have always admired Prompto's determination. As a person who's struggled with a weight condition for several years I find his choice to change for himself and for those who needed him inspiring. He and the others in the cast of FFXV are very inspiring characters because a lot of their situations are very genuine and allow you to connect with them on a different level. I find myself mostly connecting with Prompto and Noctis for multiple reasons that are both average and personal, but I do associate with Ignis because I adore learning how to cook new things and I'm a very agile thinker. Anyways, tell me what you guys think about the chapter.

Have a good night or day!

Sincerely,

ShadowDragon94.