Nyxia had gotten herself dressed into something a little more princess-appropriate, but it was only because her mother had insisted. She usually didn't get dressed up for any special occasions, and Cingarus had never really forced her to, but her mother was a little more formal.

So, Nyxia sported a royal-blue, chiffon gown as she waited on the balcony of her bedroom. She eventually could see the three of them dressed in their Kingsguard uniforms as they came down the sidewalk, and it was her cue to make her way down the spiral stairs.

Nyxia would join with her mother and father in the throne room, feeling a little more refreshed than she had earlier in the day.

As the trio was let into the room, Cingarus was sitting on the throne, and Nyxia and Natalia stood on either side. As much as she would have liked to be less formal and give them all an embrace, she knew her mother would likely frown on it.

Ignis looked spectacular and healthy. He still had a small scar around his left eye, but with his shades replaced by regular glasses, it was clear that he was able to see the world around him again, and it made her very happy.

"It's good to see Your Highness has improved," he said as the three of them bowed. Nyxia looked at him with a smile.

"And it's good to see your vision is back, Ignis."

"I owe you my life."

She opened her mouth to retort that he didn't need to go that far, but Cingarus had responded first. "Which leads me to make a request."

They all looked to the king now as he rose to his feet. "It has come to my attention that my daughter has expressed concern for finding the Necromancer's Gem." They seemed interested, but he continued. "She cannot make this journey alone." He then looked at Gladiolus, who was already bowing, his hand to his chest in a fist.

"By my father's dying wishes to serve Curia upon the death of the Lucian King, I will serve however you need me to, Your Majesty."

Cingarus nodded. "Then, will you serve as my daughter's Shield?"

"I will, Your Majesty."

Ignis followed suit in the same posture. "I am indebted to Her Highness. I would be honored to help."

"Me, too!" Prompto chimed in, also bowing.

Nyxia smiled, looking at her father. In return, he nodded to her, also smiling. He drew a sword from a hilt that was built on the top of the throne chair, then handed it to Nyxia. She accepted it with care, then placed the blade on each of their shoulders as she would finalize the pact.

"By the Curian city and by Chantieri blood, I announce you three, Gladiolus Amicitia, Ignis Scientia, and Prompto Argentum as the Curian Queensguard."

They had been asked to stay for dinner as a gratitude for their services, and they were each honored to partake in the food. Ignis talked a lot about how delicious the food was, and how he was inspired to come up with a new recipe. Nyxia mostly listened, though occasionally engaged in some small talk with Prompto, who seemed much happier now that things appeared relatively normal.

By the end of the night, Nyxia was feeling quite tired, still not fully rehabilitated. She promised she would let them know when she was ready to head out. Thage had suggested using a process called Reflecting as a way to help mentally heal herself. Basically, it was meditation. She sat on her mattress, legs crossed beneath her as she would do what she could to clear her mind. She closed her eyes, casting aside everything. She had done it with Thage a couple of times through these days of recuperation, but now, she did this on her own.

However, as she emptied her thoughts, images forced their way in - images she had never seen before. Yet, the visions seemed to suggest some sort of importance. Who was trying to tell her something, and what was it they were trying to say?

Nyxia's eyes opened as she tried to process the places she saw. There was a waterfall, as well as a flash of a dark chamber that she imagined might have been a tomb of one of the Kings of Lucis. Was it possible that she was given a vision of where the gem might be?

She found herself scampering for the study room. She was pretty sure she had seen a similar picture on Meteor Publishing at some point. After about an hour of trying to determine the location on the publishing company's website, she found a very similar picture of the same waterfall. Apparently, it was the entrance to Greyshire Glacial Grotto, and there was, as she suspected, a royal arms tomb hidden deep within.

She sent Prompto a text about it late that night, inquiring if he knew whether or not the place was still accessible. After about an hour, she figured she wouldn't hear from him until morning. He was likely fast asleep right now, and so, she forced herself to do the same.

By sunrise, Nyxia had gotten herself showered and cleaned. It was expected to be a warm day, and so she threw on some lace-up, black shorts and a long-sleeved, crop top of lace and spandex. Perhaps, she decided, it was time to live and let go - find something new and branch from it. No more elegant dresses and proper behaviors. It was time to get out there and see this beautiful world in the light again. It was time to get a little dirty and kick some daemon ass.

And have a hell of a time doing it.

"Come on, Rubia," she said, heading for the bedroom door. "We have a gem to find."