The Dark Astral And The Weakness of One's Heart part 2
"The heart may be weak and sometimes it might even give in but I've learned that deep down there's a light that never goes out." - Kingdom Heart -Tetsuya Nomura
Astraea suddenly woke up and was able to stand up and look around. "Where am I?" her eyes darted across the darkness. "Reno….?" she turned around only to see darkness, "Mother!" she shouted, "Your Majesty!" she started to panic, "Noctis!" she spun around to see a silhouette, "Noct?" Astraea was about to walk over but she stopped when the silhouette became bigger and bigger. Her eyes widened to see Diabolos, the daemon grinned at her. She backed away but suddenly black tendrils burst out from the ground and wrapped her legs and her arms.
"Astraea Lumina…." Diabolos's voice sent shivers down to her spine as she tried to break free, the dark Astrals slowly hovered towards her, his giant bat wings beating slowly he stopped in front of her, "Are you afraid of me child?" Astraea was visibly scared, she cannot stop herself from trembling in his presence. Seeing this Diabolos chuckled darkly. "It's okay to be a scared child…" he mocked. Astraea breath became heavy and faster as her eyes and hair started to flicker.
"The Infernian is wrong to choose you, Astraea…" he laughed. "You no champion, you are just a scared little girl…." his laughter echoes around them.
Astraea closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "It's not time to be scared Astraea, you can do it! believe in yourself," she thought, "You're a warrior of light! FIGHT BACK!" her eyes suddenly snapped open. It glowed a deep red as her hair turned burst into flames. "I'm not scared of you Diabolos! You can show my fear! I will not back down!"
Diabolos's eyes widened in a split second then it sharpened at her and he chuckled darkly. "Dear child, I know your fear is nothing to you but your…." his tail raised her chin up so that he could gaze at her crimson eyes. "But your desire is stronger than your fear.." he grinned, "I can show it to you…..no…...I can grant it to you…." before Astraea could react the tail plunged into her chest again and her scream pitched the darkness.
…
Back at the council room, the whole room gasped as they saw what was happening. they saw how Astraea head slumped down the pupils her eyes disappeared and became vacant and dulled. Diabolos's tail pulled out and Astraea fell on the ground, Diabolos wings spread wide as he chuckled deeply. He then turned to his side looking at someone, they all knew that he was looking at them through the purple flames. "Tried to save her this time guardian," his laughter faded with him.
"DIABOLOS!" Reno shouted as Astraea body started to be engulfed by the black tendril and sink into darkness and the video turned pitch black.
In the physical word Astraea started to thrash in pain, the starscourge started to spread the black tendrils appeared and crawled into her neck and down to shoulders.
"Astraea!" Aerith cried as she saw her daughter in pain. She was about to reach a hand towards the wound but Reno grabbed her hand in midair.
"STOP! You can be infected with the scourge if you do that!" Reno said as he pulled their hands away.
"Reno, she in pain I need to-"
"I know but you will just endanger yourself, just pray that Astraea will win just like the prince."
Aerith wanted to protest but the guardian is right, she will just endanger herself and the people around her, so she just backed away and put her hands on her chest and prayed to the Astrals to seek help.
Reno lowered his gaze on his master, seeing her whimpering made his blood boil. He just wants to go to where she is and save her, but alas he can't. He bit down on his lips and clenched his hands to stop him from losing control and burning everything his body started to tremble in anger. He slowly reached his hand and squeezed her right hand, "I can't do anything, sorry…. I can't save you... I'm trying to...but Diabolos is too strong, I can't…" Reno's eyes started to tear up, his tears falling on her wound, his tears having little or no effect as the starscourge kept on spreading. "Astraea please fight it,"
"Reno"
He looked up to see the king looking down at him, his right hand on his shoulder comforting him. "Don't lose hope, Noctis is still out there and he will save her, they will come out safe and defeat Diabolos."
Seeing the king's eyes full of concern but courage at the same time. He started to calm down and he took a deep breath and nodded at the king, "You're right, Your Majesty, let us not lose hope." he stood and glared at the flames. "Show how strong you are Fire Maiden, don't let him win!"
The king looked over his council and the glaives, "Let us help them by praying to the Astrals," they all nodded and started to pray.
A burst of sinister laughter came out the flames, "Those are useless now…"
"Diabolos!" Reno hissed and slammed his hands on the table.
"Watch carefully, guardian, I will corrupt her and make her mine.." Diabolos's laughter echoes inside the destroyed room. Reno's finger turned into talons, he dug and clawed the wood as his haired glowed bright red just like his master, his blue-eyes glared daggers at the flames ready to attack. The people inside the room can feel his anger, his body glowing red and radiating heat. Nobody wants to talk or stop him as his talons burst into flames and set the table on fire. The shield stepped in and put a hand to Reno's shoulder, he suddenly turned towards the shield and saw the concern on his eyes.
"Reno..you know Astraea more than anyone, she will win this, she needs our support not our anger right? You're the one who said not to let your emotion get to you but not you're the one losing control, as her shield you need to be strong for her so don't lose control now,"
Reno blinked several times while still looking at the shield. Clarus never did call him by his name, the shield has always been so cold and serious towards him. That's why he always jokes around him and will not take the shield seriously, but now Clarus is now showing compassion, he softened his expression and let his anger fade away, his talons turned into fingers again, he sighed and he regained his composure he smiled slightly towards him, "Thanks I needed that,"
"Your welcome, Reno," Clarus smiled back, "So what now? What is Diabolos doing" he said while stepping back and looking down at Ifrit's champion."
Reno strengthened himself and gaze at the flames, "Diabolos is right Astraea fear is not that strong, for she able to control and overcame it" he stopped and gaze down to his master, "But her desire...,"
"And what's that?
Reno turned towards Ignis, "Being accepted and having a normal life and that what Diabolos will use, I just hope she will see through it all. After all, Diabolos is a master deceiving people hearts,"
The room went silent, after all, That's what Diabolos have been doing deceiving and controlling them like puppets. The king is about to give his comment when the flames started to show a video, they all turned their attention towards it. They saw Astraea laying on a bed and sleeping soundly from above.
"That is her bedroom back on Galahd," Aerith said as she stood up.
"Diabolos is now starting his deception," Reno muttered, his eyes not leaving the flames.
...
Astraea woke up and slowly rose up and stretched her arms while yawning, she rubbed her eyes. "Morning Ren-" she looked beside her to find it empty. "Reno?" she looked confused and touched the side of her bed. "Is that all a dream?" she thought. She kept looking at the empty space, her mind wondering what was happening.
…
Back in the council room Reno went and kneel down and held Astraea's right hand again. He could feel the starscourge erasing her memory and replacing it with a false one.
"No...no…."
'What wrong Reno?" Aerith asked.
Reno turned to her, "He is erasing her memory and replacing it with fake ones.." he started to panic, "Astraea fight it!"
"Reno?" Astraea whispered.
Reno's eyes widened as he was able to connect with his master, "Astraea!" he exclaimed, "You're in Diabolos realm, he trying to control you by showing what you want, please do listen to hi-" he could not finish his sentence when he heard her cried in pain he turned to the flames and saw her clutching her head with both hands in discomfort. "Astraea!" he screamed suddenly the purple flames burst out from the ground and surrounded her. He and Aerith were able to back away. Gladio was quick and grabbed Noctis before the flames reached him.
"No!" Reno shouted and about to jump into the fire but Clarus and Cor stop him, "Let me go! Astraea needs me!"
"You're just going to make it worse, Reno," Cor shouted while trying to stop him. Reno turned to the marshal ready to lash on him but he stopped when he heard Somnus voice.
"Reno stop, believe in her, my sister will win. Don't let Diabolos take control of your emotion."
Hearing the founder King's voice made the guardian stop thrashing. Reno knelt on the floor and just watched the flames. Clarus and Cor let go of him and back away. They all resume watching the flames.
...
Astraea kept on holding her head, as the pain intensified she started to tremble. "Reno…" she murmured.
"Forget him, child, forget everything… forget all the bad memories…." Diabolos' shadow appeared behind, he reached his clawed and touched her shoulder. The pain started to go away, she was able to breathe normally.
"Astraea sweetheart, wake up! breakfast is ready!" the voice of Aerith called out.
She was able to regain her composure as the pain and voice inside of her head disappeared, "It's all a bad dream…" she murmured.
"Sweetheart," Aerith knocked at the door, she went and opened it to see her mother smiling at her, "Good your awake, come on your pancake is getting cold," Aerith said and turned and walked away.
"Go ahead mother, I will just clean my bed," After making her bed, she changed into a red dress and walked out the door she stopped and looked back. "Wait something is missing?" she thought.
"Astraea!" her mother called out again.
She shrugged her shoulder and shouted back, "Coming!"
She arrived at the kitchen and saw Aerith standing in waiting for her.
"Morning!" she cheerful said.
Aerith smiled and patted her on the head, "Morning my dear, here sit down and eat your breakfast,"
"Ok," she nodded and took a seat. Aerith went and sat down beside her. She was happily eating when she turned to her mother in a split second Aerith appearance changed into a Mindflayer and back again. She suddenly stood up and back away.
"Sweetheart, what is wrong? Did you not like my pancakes?" Aerith asked while smiling.
Astraea blinked several times and even rubbed her eyes to see if she was just seeing things "ahh... no. sorry, mother, I'm just a bit sleepy," she suddenly jumped when someone touched her shoulder. She spun around to see a familiar face.
"Morning Kiddo!" Zack greeted her with a big smile.
…
"Zack…." Aerith whispered her beloved husband's name.
"That not him Aerith," Reno said while glaring at the flames. "It's a daemon pretending to be him, let just hope Astraea could see though of it,"
Aerith looked back at Reno, her eyes full of concern and worried. Just like him, she can't do anything but watch.
...
"Father?" she just looked at her father.
Zack crooked his head to the side and smiled, "What's wrong, kiddo, looks like you have seen a ghost,"
The fire maiden felt lightheaded, as her memory began to fade. The memory of his death and the destruction of the island vanished and was replaced by happy and fun memories. She held her head in discomfort and was going to fall down but Zack was able to catch her.
"Woah...kiddo what's wrong? Are you okay?"
Astraea shook her head and looked up to see her father blue eyes, "Nothing just a bad dream,"
Her father patted her on the head and hugged her, "Don't worry my little fire maiden, nobody will hurt you, just forget all those nightmares."
She hugged him back, Zack started to stroke her hair, he grinned his blue eyes turned yellow.
...
Back at the council room, they can see Zack's true nature as a Mindflayer, they are helpless as the Mindflayer tentacles start to engulf Astraea, hugging her more deeply. In real-time, the starscourge in her physical body started to spread more and it reached her waist and elbows.
"NO!" Reno started to panic, he cast fira on the purple flames surrounding his master, but his flames just bounced off and ricocheted past him and struck the chandelier it came crashing down. The people inside the room back away and turned their attention towards the guardian, his wings burst from his back and spread wide, his hands glowed red and he ready to cast everything but Aerith stopped him.
"Reno.." he turned to her, Aerith held his trembling hands, "You must believe in her I knew my daughter, she will see Diabolos illusion," Reno lowered his wings down and nodded at her, then looked around and murmured, "Sorry, for losing control again…"
The people inside the room gave him reassuring looks because they understood his pain, the pain of being helpless and not able to do anything. Reno just bowed his head towards them and looked at the King. Regis nodded at him and gave a weak smile. He took a deep breath as his wings vanished again, he composed himself and glared at the flaming sphere which showed what was happening to his master. He saw how happy Astraea was while having a fun conversation with the fake Aerith and Zack he saw the smile on her face. His hands turned into a fist, that smile is the one he wanted to see on her, the life he always dreamt for Astraea to have, but it's all a lie, created by the twisted Diabolos. He can't do anything but watch events unfold.
...
After finishing their breakfast, Aerith and Astraea went outside while Zack went back to her room to get her school bag. He handed it to her with a big smile. "Enjoy your day kiddo," he patted her in the head.
She smiled back and kissed them both on the cheek, "I will see you later!" she waved goodbye at them, They waved back as Astraea turned around, their smiling face turned in a malicious grin as they disappeared in a cloud of black smoke. While walking the fire maiden could not shake the uneasy feeling. She kept feeling that something is now right but she kept waking all the village people she encountered gave her a warm and inviting smile and greeted her a good morning. She does not know why but she liked it, she continued to walk to school. She was surprised that she was now at the school gate. She just shrugged her shoulders and took a step forward when she heard a male main voice calling her in the distance.
"ASTRA!"
She turned around to see no one, "ASTRAEA!" the voice got louder this time, she took a step toward it but she jumped when she heard the bell ring.
"NO, I'm going to be late!" she forgot about the voice and sprinted inside the school. She stopped and stared at the door of her room. She gripped the strap on her backpack. She remembered that time she was being bullied by her schoolmates. She took a deep breath and slid the door open. The students inside the room turned to her, she was expecting them to mock her and make fun of her but that did not happen instead one of the girls cheerfully and gleefully greeted her.
"Astraea! there you are, I have been waiting for you!" the black-haired teen grabbed her hand to drag her to her table.
"Sorry, Edea," she apologized to her, Edea just put two hands on her shoulders to make her sit down. "Don't worry about that just sit down and forget everything," Edea yellow eyes glowed as she erased her memory and replaced it with happy ones. They were best friends and spent all their time together and her classmates liked and adored her.
"Forget everything…" Edea's voice became low, "Forget everything… and be mine…" Astraea eyes started to become dull as she listened to the voice.
"ASTRA!" the male voiced ringed again in her ears, she snapped out from the trance and was surprised that they are now middle of the lesson.
"Lumina!" the teacher called to her while tapping chalk in the blackboard, "Please answer this question,"
"Yes Sir, "she stood up and walked up to the blackboard. She grabbed the chalk as the teacher smiled at her. She stared at the math question for several seconds, her head throbbing in pain but she was able to answer it and she turned towards her teacher. She expected him to mock her or give a bad remark but that teacher just clapped his hands and put a hand on her back and showed her to the whole class.
"See class, you must follow Astraea example,"
She smiled as she saw all her classmates smiling and clapping at her. She blinked one time and was surprised to see all her classmate's appearance changed into daemons. She gasped and back away only to fall down and engulfed by darkness. When she woke up and the class had ended and it's time to leave.
"Astraea, what are you doing?" Edea stopped at her desk.
The warrior of light shook her head, "Nothing, I just kept seeing things,"
"I hope you're okay and I want to invite you to my slumber party?"
Astraea looked at her confused, "You want me to come to your house and sleep?"
"Of course you're my best friend!" Edea grabbed her hand, her eyes glowed again as she kept feeding Astraea fake memories.
Astraea smiled at her, "Yes, best friend…." she trailed off as she stood up, "I just need to go back home and tell my parents," she started to walk away from her when he heard the voice again. "Astra where are you!" she spun around and was surprised her surroundings changed. She is now in the middle of the forest where the giant three stood, "ASTRA!" She felt on her knees while cltching her head.
...
Back in the real world, half of her body is now covered with the starscourge. It now reached her knee. Her upper body is turned into a daemon and the black tendril is now on her cheeks going to her eyes she started whimpering in pain as the people around her just stood and watched, they are helpless to help her.
...
Back at the dark realm, Astraea was still kneeling as all the memory of what happened in the past months started to disappear. Her meeting with the king and all that event after that. The faces of the people she met started to fade away. She looked up to see them all. First, she saw the marshal and the shield. She was about to reach a hand to them when their body shattered into pieces and disappeared into the darkness. She turned around to see Mecia, Claudia, and Quistis, their bodies shattered and disappeared too. She spun around to see Prompto, Gladio, and Ignis. She only has a glimpse of them before they shattered into pieces.
"Astraea..' she heard a familiar voice. She turned to it to see a face the red-haired guardian.
"Reno?" walked over but she gasped to his body was engulfed by purple females. She stopped and held her head again. "No….."
"Astraea.." she turned to see the king, looking at her, "Your Majesty?" she tried to run to him but Regis's body was engulfed by flames too.
"AHHH!" she screamed at the pain in her head intensified.
"Astra!" she looked up to see Noctis running to her, she held her hand to him, before they could grab each other hand Noctis disappeared and she was back at the forest and the pain inside her head fading away.
"Wait who are those people?" she questioned herself.
"Yes… forgot everything, they don't want you….stay here… with me…." her eyes became dull and lifeless as the area around her started to go dark.
That when a Noctis voiced perched darkness. "ASTRA!"
Her eyes reverted back to being brown she stood up and looked around. "Who are you? Why are you calling me?" she shouted while looking around. She could not understand what was happening. She covered her ears as she could hear several voices inside her head but one stood among them. It was stern but loving at the same time.
"Sing…." the voiced Somnus echoes.
"What?" she opened her eyes.
"Sing Astraea, your emotion will help you remember!" Somnus whispered.
Without giving it a second thought she straightened herself and with a deep breath she sang. (Super Smash Bros: Ultimate - "Lifelight" (Rock Cover) | AmaLee Ver). When she finished her song she opened her eyes and she was surprised to see the forest around her in now burned down and the giant lush tree is now stripped of its leaves. Its skeletal form gave an ominous vibe. She took a step back only to bump into someone, she looked back to see her father.
"Hey, kiddo! What are you doing here?" Zack asked, smiling brightly at her.
"The forest its-" she looked around only to see the forest is back to normal, the birds chirping happily, the gentle sunlight beaming down at them. "Wait...what…."
"You've been acting strange, Astraea, are you okay?"
She turned to him, "No.. I have been seeing and hearing things...bad things…."
Zack just smiled and put his hand on her shoulders, "Don't worry my little fire maiden, there are all just bad dreams, just forget about them…" he grinned, his hands glowed purple as the scourge sipped through his hands and down her shoulder. she looked up to him, her eyes becoming vacant, "Yes.. father I will…" she trailed off as she hugged him.
...
Back at the physical world, Astraea whimpered in pain as the starscourge consumed all her upper body, her hand turned into claws and reached her knees. Black tendrils appeared all over her face.
"NO!" Reno shouted at the flames., "Don't listen to him Astraea! he is not real!"
"Astraea, his not your father, don't fall for it," Aerith joined him.
Astraea did not hear them, as she continued to hug the fake Zack.
"Reno! Can you do anything!" Regis turned to him.
"I have been trying to but Diabolos's power is too strong I can go through his shield." Reno gaze at the king with sad defeated eyes.
The people started to worry, Regis is now gripping his cane hard enough to break the handle causing his hand to be wounded.
"Your Majesty, your hand,"
"I'm okay Clarus, don't mind me, we need to help Astraea,"
As the people inside the room started to panic in the dark realm Astraea broke the embrace.
...
"Father, may I go to a slumber party?"
"But of course kiddo,"
"Don't worry I will be back early, it's the weekend, we can hunt together…" she smiled at him brightly.
"What hunting?" Zack laughed, "No….no… it's too dangerous my little fire maiden." he patted her on the head.
Her brown eyes showed disappointment, "What not?"
"Because I don't want you to get hurt Astraea," he hugged her, "Just stayed here by my side… don't go anywhere and don't do anything…"
She buried her face into his body and smiled sadly, "You are not him…." she whispered.
"What?"
"You're not him!" she said louder, "You're not my father!" she shouted while breaking the embrace. "For Zack Lumina will never say NO to hunting!"
...
All the people inside the room become dumbstruck as they hear her say those words.
"She.." Cor trailed off, "That made her wake up?" he turned to Aerith.
Aerith gaze at him, "I guess so…. they can copy our faces but not our heart that made Astraea realized that the person standing in front of her is not her father,"
Reno laughed, "That Astraea for you, always doing the unpredictable,"
...
Inside the dark realm, Astraea memory returned she brushed Zack's hands away and twisted them. Her eyes and hair turned crimson. "GET AWAY FROM ME DAEMON!" her hand burst into flames it ran towards the Zack' arms it shrieked as the flames engulfed its whole body, it returned its appearance into its normal from a Mindflayer. The daemon hissed at her and lunged at her. Astraea feet burst into flames when the Mindflayer was about to attack her, she did somersault her feet exploded on impact and it sent the daemon up in the air and then she jumped and grabbed the daemon in the air and threw it down(Meteor strike). She landed on her knees and hands, she quickly stood up and with a snapped of her finger the daemon exploded.
...
Back in the council room, all of their mouths dropped wide open seeing Astraea moved like that except Aerith and Reno.
"WOW! That was awesome!" Prompto shouted.
"Where does she learn to do that?" Ignis asked.
"Zangan thought her," Aerith answered.
"WHAT! Master Zangan, the great martial master?" Cor turned to her.
Aerith nodded, "Yup, Zangan went to Galahd back in the day, He spent two years there teaching Martial art, Astraea…." Aerith turned towards the flames, "She was his only student, she spent her days learning martial art after the first fire incident but she never used it even, until now…"
"Well, that explained how Astraea was able to throw me and knocked me out," Gladio said while rubbing his chin.
"Your father too," Reno piped up, they all turned to him, he just smirked, "The fire maiden is always full of surprises," he looked down and saw starscourge started to disappear and the purple flames surrounding her vanished. But Reno's smile faded when he heard a burst of menacing laughter. They all turned towards the video again.
...
Astraea spun around as the forest around her changed, the lush green forest became barren and burned down, ashes and cinder flying in the air. She looked at the giant skeletal tree on the very top perched the dark Astral, his wing folded in front of him. His glowing yellow eyes looking at her.
A smirk ran across his lips, "I never saw a person wake up from my illusion from almost being corrupted, you impress me, child,"
Astraea was scared at first but she just clenched her hands into a fist and did a front stance, "You don't scare me anymore Diabolos and your illusion won't work on me,"
Diabolos laughed as he floated down his wing still closed, "The courage you have is just like Ifrit' flames but just like your Infernian, your flames will die down too,"
Suddenly a Ronin appeared behind her, she had no time to react as the blade of the daemon was about to cut her in a burst of blue light Noctis appeared he deflected the sword away and slashed the Ronin in half.
"There you are Astra, are you okay?" Noctis asked and walked towards her.
"NOCT!"
She ran up to him but stopped, he stopped too, they are a few feet away from each other, "Astra what's wro-" the prince did not have the chance to finish his sentence because the fire maiden punched him the stomach he dropped to his knees heaving. "What the hell! Why did you punch me?" he glared at her.
"Sorry just checking if you're the real Noctis, by the looks of it you're the real after all a daemon can't easily fall like that," she smiled and held a hand.
Noctis took it, "So you're saying I'm weak then?" asked in annoyance as he stood up.
"No, you just need a lot of practice," she said while smiling, he smiled back at her, suddenly she hugged him, he hugged her back. When they broke the embrace she suddenly headbutted him, The prince took a step back, "What is the for!?"
"WHY ARE YOU HERE!"
"I came here to save you!"
"What a stupid thing to do Noctis!" she screamed while pointing a finger at him.
"What! Is that how you treat your savior!" Noctis pointed his finger at her too.
...
Back in the real world, the people inside the room stood silent as the witness the warriors of light continued to bickered
"Are they alright? Are Diabolos making them fight each other?" Prompto sheepishly asked.
"No.." Reno shook his head, "They are just acting normal, just like the first time they meet,"
"They should stop that are still inside Diabolos's realm," Ignis stated.
Reno turned towards the advisor, "Don't worry they know what to do, they are just happy to see each other," Ignis is about to answer him but he stopped when Diabolos laughed maniacally, they all returned their attention towards the video.
...
Back at Astraea and Noctis, they wiped around their body towards the dark Astral. Noctis went in front of Astraea and summoned the engine blade and pointed in towards Diabolos.
"I good to see you again. King of Light," Noctis just snarled at him.
"You two will not win against me, after all, your hearts are weak and fragile, you two will break soon enough…" he grinned at them.
"You're wrong," the fire maiden stepped forward, "You don't fully understand this but our heart…..The heart may be weak and sometimes it might even give in but I've learned that deep down there's a light that never goes out and that light will give us the strength to defeat you Diabolos!" she declared and did a front stance.
"Hahahahhaha," Diabolos laughter filled the air around them, "Let see how long your light lasts…" he opened his wings out came the black smoke the miasma, it surrounded the warriors of light and from the black mist, daemons started to crawl out. Astraea and Noctis stood back to back glaring at the daemon. Diabolos floated and perched himself back at the top of the giant tree.
"Hey, Noct want to continue our bet?"
"Really? It's not the right time for that Astra, we need to focus," he said while looking at the daemon in front of him.
"I know… I just looking forward to the future, after we get out of here I want a tour of the city and you will be paying all my expenses."
"That a weird way of being positive," Noctis laughed and glanced at her. "Okay then, your on! so you're going to need this," Noctis waved his left hand and summoned Astraea rapier.
She took it and unsheathed it and slashed downward, "Let show them the strength of our heart, Noct. Let's show them what the warriors of light can do.." she held the blade of the rapier in front of her eyes, it glowed bright red.
"Okay then, don't hold back, make them feel your flames… Fire Maiden!," The prince held the engine blade with two hands and tightened his grip.
Astraea smiled, "You too, showed them your light, King of Light!" Astraea held her right hand up to the side, summoned a fire spell.
"In my mark…" she whispered, "1….2….3…."
"Go!" Noctis shouted as he warped killing the Goblin in front of him. Astraea laughed as she sprinted towards a Ronin, the Ronin slashed downward she did a semi-parry letting the Ronin's blade slide against her blade, sparks went flying. It gave her an opportunity to thrust the rapier on its heart, the blade burst into flames and exploded it sent the Ronin backward she finished it with casting fira on it. She looked at Noctis who did the same thing with another Ronin but without the flames. Suddenly a reaper appeared beside Astraea, she was able to avoid its blade and stepped back. She and Noctis bumped into each other back. Noctis saw the Reaper swinging its blade horizontally towards them, he quickly bent forward so that Astraea can do a backward roll his back to avoid the blade. She was successful and landed on her feet and cast fire on the reaper while Noctis went for the finishing blow. They smiled at each other and continued the fight.
...
Back in the real world, the people awed at the sight of the warriors of light fighting, both Astraea and Noctis have their own skill and fighting style. The prince style is more lunging head-on and continues slashing, while Astraea is a mix of fencing and tricking avoiding the attack and finding the weak spot and finishing by the trusting in the heart. They were amazed by how different they are but feel like one of the same. Astraea will sometimes use her flames to help Noctis while he will teleport on her side to help her.
"Their attacks are synchronized like they are reading each other's mind," Ignis stated as he focused his eyes at them.
"Your right Ignis, they can win this for sure," Prompto said, "GO Noct and Astra! showed them what you got!" some of the other members of the council and glaives and guards, did the same and gave them encouragement.
...
Back at the dark realm, King of Light and the Fire Maiden stopped abruptly and glanced at each other as they heard them.
"They cheering for us," Astraea said as she cast fira on an imp.
"They are waiting for us, let's finish this Astra!" Noctis said warped again.
"Can you stop that! It is not fair and it's making me dizzy!"
Noctis just smirked and warped behind her to kill a goblin, "Just focus on fighting," he said as he stood beside her. She looked at him in annoyance, "Can you just stop teleport around can't focus,"
The warrior just looked at her, "Sorry can't," she gave him a bewildered look, he smirked, "This is a contest right so I'm trying to win so bye!" Noctis warped away towards two Imps and with a single slash, he killed them all.
"That's not fair NOCTIS LUCIS CAELUM!" the fire maiden shouted, suddenly a red giant appeared behind and brought its giant blade down. She was caught off guard and couldn't guard and Noctis was too far to warp to her.
"Carbuncle!"
Suddenly a barrier appeared and deflected the blade. Astraea was able to focus and thrust the rapier into the middle of the daemon chest, "FLARE!" The explosion was so huge it sent a shockwave around them. It knocked a few daemons down and killed the red giant in an instant.
"Astra," Noctis warped beside her and helped her up.
"Did you do this Noct?" she asked as the barrier is still in place.
"Nope, she did," Noctis gestured towards his shoulder suddenly Carbuncle appeared, "Astra, I want you to meet Carbuncle, my guardian," the fox guardian bowed her head, "Nice meeting you fire maiden," she said cheerfully.
"Oh my gosh! you're so cute!" Astraea grabbed Carbuncle and hugged her, "You're cuter than Reno Chocobo form.." she said while smiling.
"I heard that…" Astraea heard Reno's voice. She can felt she hurt him a little, "Sorry Reno, but Cally is really cuter than you,"
"Cally?" Carbuncle gazed up.
"Yes, can I call you that? Carbuncle is such a long name," the fox ears twitched and she smiled at her, "But of course fire maiden,"
"Okay now, can we please go back on fighting, you two can talk later," Noctis reminded them.
She nodded and put Cally down and looked around them, they are still a dozen daemon around them. She gazed at the prince, the prince is now breathing heavily showing exhaustion, she too, she is now reaching her limit. She took a deep breath and looked down, "Hey Cally?"
The guardian looked up, "Can you barrier stand my flames?" Carbuncle nodded, "Okay then, Noctis closed your eyes, this will be a big one,"
Noctis is about to give a comment when a huge sigil appeared below their feet. He looked towards Astraea, her eyes closed and focusing while winding her rapier in front of her eyes. She snapped eyes opened and shouted, "HELLFIRE!"
The sky turned red as a giant meteor plummets towards them, Astraea gazed up threw the rapier towards it, Solis, embed half the way through, "FLARE!" The meteor exploded and it rained fire around them killing all the remaining daemons as the barrier kept them safe from the fire it slid and bounced off it. Astraea's rapier was flung away and seeing this Noctis used his ability to warp to it. He was able to grab it in mid-air and warped back down using Solis. Astraea was surprised but was not able to give any comment as she fell down to her knees.
"Astra!" Noctis ran towards her and knelt down, "Are you okay?"
She weakly nodded, "Yes, just use my last stamina that all.."
They both looked around as the rain of fire down died to see nothing left.
"Did we win?" she asked while standing up.
"Don't know.," Noctis said as he looked around. They both looked up at the giant tree that is now burning and to see Diabolos is not there.
A burst of dark laughter filled the air around them, "This is not over yet….warriors of light…"
Suddenly a pool of black liquid appeared below their feet. Astraea pushed Noctis out of the way as Diabolos burst out from the ground and grabbed her and floated away and stopped above him.
"ASTRA!"
...
The people gasped as they saw the dark Astral holding the fire maiden up in the air by the back of her neck with his left arm.
"Darn…" Reno but his lips, "Why can't I go to Astraea!"
They are now all anxious, the look of fear and worry plastered all of their faces as they continued to watch.
...
"Drop the swords prince," Diabolos hissed at him and tightened his grip around Astraea's neck.
"NO! don't do it Noct," she said between breaths as she tries to pry off Diabolos's talon-like fingers. "Don't….."
Diabolos just snarled, "Such bravery…." he tightened his grip his nails dug into her skin drawing blood. "Want to save her, king of light?" he turned towards the prince. "Stand down and give up.."
"DON'T YOU DARE NOCTIS LUCIS CAELUM! FIGHT BACK!"
"SILENCE CHILD!" Diabolos shouted as his hand burst into purple flames and started to burn her.
"Ahhhh!" Astraea screamed.
"ASTRA!" Noctis shouted, Carbuncle suddenly lunged as the dark Astral, Diabolos just whipped his tail and hit the guardian it sent her into the dark portal.
"Carbuncle!" Noctis called out his guardian.
...
In the real world Reno saw this and ran as Carbuncle was thrown from the flames, he was able to catch the small fox, "Gotcha!"
Carbuncle shook her body, "Thank you,"
"You're welcome, so Cally can you go back there?" Carbuncle jumped down from his arms to the table.
"Yes.." the fox guardian horn glowed red but it died down, "What! I can't…"
"DARN! he is keeping us out." Reno slammed his hands on the table. He jumped as he heard the piercing scream of his master. "ASTRAEA!"
The starscourge suddenly reappeared on Astraea's physical body and she started to thrashing in pain. "NO!" Reno ran towards her. "Carbuncle! Do something! use your barrier!"
"Sorry... I can't ..." Carbuncle ears dropped while looking at the fire maiden body from the table.
"No….no…."
"Reno…"
Reno could hear a familiar voice, he turned to the king and saw the Ring of Luci glowing faintly. "Your Majesty, give me the ring of Lucii!" he held his hand up to him. Regis looked at him hesitantly, "Don't worry it won't affect the barrier around the city," The king just looked at him, "COME ON REGIS!" Reno shouted at him, "You want to save your son and Astraea right?!"
The king flinched at the Guardian's sudden reaction. He slowly removed the ring and handed it to him. "Where the prince?" Reno looked around and saw Gladio carrying him. "Please put the prince down here," Reno patted the ground next to Astraea. Just like Regis, Gladio did not move and just gazed at him, "PUT HIM DOWN NOW!" Reno bared his teeth at the future shield. Gladio scramble on his feet and gently put down Noctis, "Here put it on him. I need to get something," Reno said while giving the future shield the Ring of Lucii. Before Gladio could speak, Reno disappeared in a flash of red light.
"Don't worry the prince will not be harmed," Carbuncle jumped down from the table and stood near his master, "Please put the ring on, we don't have time," Gladio did what the guardian said. The ring glowed brightly on the prince's finger and with that Astraea's necklace reacted with it, it floated up in the air and the light from its red and blue side pulsating. Reno returned back with a small chest, he opened it to reveal three crystals shard its size is the same with the gem in Astraea's Necklace. It floated with the necklace it glowed as it spun around the two warriors, "Stay back," a huge blue seal(FFX BAHAMUT SEAL) appeared below the warriors. Reno burst into flames and turned into his phoenix form he turned towards Carbuncle. "Come on…" Carbuncle jumped into his back. Both of them glowed with their respected colors with the crystals in a flash of light they disappeared and with the crystal and went towards the purple flame. The people inside the room just stood still and watch the event unfold.
...
Back at the dark realm, Noctis gripped Solis and The Engine blade tightly as he glared at Diabolos is still holding up Astraea in the air. The fire maiden upper body is now covered with starscourge but her hands are still on Diabolos's finger trying to remove it.
"Put down the swords.." Diabolos's voice was low, "And join me…" he held his right hand up to him, "You will be able to save her…. You two will never feel pain ever again…"
"NO...Don't do it Noct, don't listen to him.." Astraea muttered as her breathing became shallow her tears falling down on her cheeks.
Noctis gripped loosen and lowered both of the swords down. "I SAID DON'T DO IT NOCTIS!" Astraea shouted at him, Noctis bolted upright and held the sword tightly ready to attack.
"You made your choice, King of Light.." Diabolos' voice became threatening, "Now… watch her die…" Diabolos's tail raised up it burst into purple flames.
"No!" the prince shouted he was ready to warp but someone beat him to it.
With a burst of blue light, a man in armor appeared in front of Diabolos and swung its blade towards its tail and missed it by an inched. Diabolos were surprised and released Astraea. She expected to hit the ground but was surprised someone caught her, she looked up to see Reno in his phoenix form.
"Sorry, I'm late…" Reno said as he flew towards the prince. He changed into his human form and let Astraea lean on him.
"ASTRA!" Noctis went toward them, "Are you okay?" she nodded suddenly a blue barrier appeared before them and later Carbuncle showed herself. "Sorry for leaving you prince, But I'm back!" Noctis just smiled at his guardian.
"Reno, Cally? Why…? how….?" Astraea asked she stood up.
"Now it is not the time to explain," Reno said as he returned to his phoenix form and enclosed his wings around the two warriors. Noctis handed Astraea her weapon back and they gaze at the fight.
"Who is that?" the prince asked.
"It's him, the founder king, Somnus Lucis Caelum," Astraea whispered as she examined the king's blade.
The Somnus was able to slash Diabolos' right-wing. The dark Astral hissed at him and grabbed him by the neck and floated up, "You have defeated me once, Caelum, but this is my realm you don't have power here," Diablos raised his tail up ready to plunge it into the heart of the founder king, suddenly a huge arm burst from the ground and punched Diabolos square in the jaw. It sent him towards the giant tree it broke into half.
"Wow, the Archaean.," Astraea said as the titan raised up from the ground and stood beside the founder king.
"TITAN!" Diabolos screamed burst out from the wreckage of the giant tree, his wings spread wide, he glared at the Astral and summoned a scythe(Wing of Judgment X (MHGU)). He lunged at the Astral and the founder king but before he could reach them, a crack of thunder could be heard. A huge lightning bolt hit Diabolos on his chest and it sent his flying back. He growled showing his fangs as he touched his scorch chest.
Astraea and Noctis looked up and saw the God of Storm, "Fulgurian," they both murmured the Astral name.
"Ramuh!" Diabolos glared at the Stormsender, "How? Why are you?" he lowered his gaze towards the warriors of light and saw the Noctis is now wearing the Ring of Lucii and Astraea necklace is glowing. "YOU TWO!" Diabolos shouted and lunged forward. The Titan and Somnus stopped him but he disappeared in black smoke and reappeared behind them. Diabolos raised his scythe ready to hit the barrier when two water snakes hit him from each side it stopped him in his tracks. Suddenly a huge creature burst from the river and encircle them from up above.
Both Astraea and Noctis eyes-widened to see a huge water snake above them the Goddess of the Sea covered the whole sky. "Hydraean…" Astraea whispered her name.
"Leviathan," Diabolos shouted as he flew up to her and cast firaga, large purple flames went towards the Goddess but she opened her giant mouth and water came out of it and collided with the purple flames. The water went through the flames and hit Diabolos. It sent the dark Astral plummeting down. Reno grabbed the two warriors and jumped out the way the same goes with Titan and Somnus.
"ENOUGH!" Diabolos shouted a huge wall of purple flames shot out from his body and went in all directions. Both Titan and the founder king went in front of the warriors of light to disperse the flames. Diabolos eyes darted towards each Astrals suddenly a ring of fire appeared around him, he floated up and held his right hand up and blackball suddenly appeared above him before he can complete his spell and the air around them became cold, his flames turned into ice his wing frozen, suddenly he was engulfed by an ice crystal. It started to snow, Astraea and Noctis looked around they saw the Glacian, the goddess encircle the barrier while looking at them then stopped beside the founder king.
"She is beautiful…" Noctis whispered and it earned a nod from Astraea. They can't stop looking at Goddess when they hear the ice crystal shattered and rain crystal around them. "Shiva…." Diabolos laughed at her while looking down at them.
Suddenly they heard a whooshing sound. Draconian flew around them before hovering behind the warriors of Light
"Bahamut…." Diabolos's yellow eyes glowed and he smirked as he looked around to see all the five Astrals are in front of him, "It's nice to see you again..my brothers and sisters." he mockingly said as he bowed down his wing beating slowly.
"You don't have the honor to call us that Diabolos!" Bahamut voiced ringed loudly.
Both Astraea and Noctis covered their ears, back in the real world the people could feel the strength of Bahamut voiced so they covered their ears too as they continued to watch. Bahamut noticed this and lowered his voice, "You betrayed us Diabolos and destroyed the balance of the world.."
"Destroyed?" he laughed, "No I save it,"
"Your worthless scum!" Leviathan hissed, "After destroying our crystal and almost destroying the world, you still think you are doing the right thing."
The dark messenger turned towards her, "But of course, Leviathan… I am going to save Eos."
"Save us from what!?" Astraea stepped forward and asked. Diabolos lowered his eyes to her, all the Astrals did the same.
"From you…. all of you… the human race..."
"What!"
"Yes, oh dear Fire Maiden, I'm doing this to save Eos,"
Noctis went in front of Astraea and pointed his sword at him.
Diabolos chuckled, "Humans are bound to commit mistakes, they only seek power and wealth.." he gazed at each Astrals, "After all we did for them, they turned their back against us and forgot that we exist,"
All the Astrals fell silent, "I speaking the truth my dear brothers and sisters, remembered before our fight, the human did not worship us anymore and just continued their lives only seek power and wealth, destroying as the planet at the process."
"NO!" Astraea shouted, "Your the one who made them do that, your dark influence made them!"
"Oh dear child, the human race is created with free will, your free to love, to hate.. and to do everything you want. I just intensify those dark and negative feelings,"
"For what?" Noctis asked, still glaring at him.
"To control them of course, you need to be controlled so that you will not destroy yourself and the planet, that what I'm trying to do… the humans don't need free will anymore they need a god..no….a ruler to rule them all!"
Astraea glared at him, "And you're that ruler?"
"Yes.. but my brothers and sisters don't like them, they still have faith in humanity so they turned against me. Does the Astral war… your should blame t-"
"ENOUGH DIABOLOS!" Bahamut summoned his blade. "We're placed on this planet to watch over them not to rule over, stop this nonsense and give up." he pointed his blade at him.
"I will never give up…" the dark Astrals grinned at him, "Our reunion is not complete yet, you must miss our dear brother!"
Suddenly a large purple fire pillar burst from the ground and made the dust and ashes flew around them. The other Astrals caught off guard and shielded their eyes. The champion of the Astrals did the same. Astraea was able to peak thought and dust and ashes and saw a giant humanoid with horns stepped from the fire pillar.
"Ifrit.." Astraea stared at the God of Fire with wide-eye. Half of the body of the Infernian is covered with starcourge and his eyes are yellow just like Diabolos. Other daemons came out from the pillar a giant three-headed dog, a giant purple octopus, the Marilith and Deathgaze.
"Let us continue our fight and finish it once and for all!" Diabolos declared and lunged at Bahamut. They collided in the sky causing a huge shockwave.
Astraea and Noctis screamed and covered their ears after regaining their footing, they looked around to see each Astrals have an enemy. Titan vs Cerberus, Leviathan vs Ultros, Ramuh vs the Deathgaze, Shiva vs Marilith and lastly the founder king vs Ifrit. The fight was equal no one is backing out.
"Reno we have to help!" Astraea shouted and about to ran out the barrier, Reno stopped her by bitting her on the collar of her dress.
"No, you won't! Do you want to get killed? We need to get out of here! we're are weak and helpless so please don't be so stubborn and follow me," Astraea glared at him."But Reno they ne-"
Astraea was cut off by the sound of swords being struck together. She turned her head towards Somnus and Ifrit. Ifrit was able to disarm Somnus. The founder King fell on his knees the God of Fire raised his sword ready to struck the fallen king.
"NO!" Astraea feet burst into flames it caught Reno off guard and released his hold, she used the flames to run no to fly towards them.
"No! Astraea!" both Noctis and Reno shouted and ran after her.
"STOP THIS IFRIT!" she stood in front of the God of Fire and raised her hands up. The god of fire sword can't stop and struck where Astraea is standing. Fire and smoke covered the area around his giant sword and the fighting stopped around them and turned their attention towards the God of fire.
"NO!" Somnus shouted under his helmet.
The smoke started to clear up and they were all surprised that Astraea was still standing, the blade just missed her by a few feet. Ifrit is kneeling with one knee his yellow eyes gazing at her. "Ifrit….please…. Don't let him take control over you…" Astraea slowly walked toward him and touched his arm. Astraea eyes turned crimson together with her hair, her hand glowed red and blue and burst into blue flames. Ifrit dropped the sword as the flames ran to his shoulder and towards his body. The god of fire howled in pain as the blue flames engulfed him.
"Wait what-" she backed away.
Ifrit fell on his knee as the fire died down, she was surprised that the starscourge on his body began to fade. His dulled eyes started to come back to life his blueish color started to go back to tan. "Fire maiden…." he murmured as he looked up and about to reach a hand toward her went out of nowhere purple flames were fire at him. Somnus quickly grabbed Astraea and jumped back. Ifrit howled in pain again as the purple flames consumed his whole body, the fire died down and Ifrit is back being daemonized.
"WHAT NO!" Astraea tried to run to him but Somnus just closed his hand trapping her inside his palm.
All the daemons appeared behind the Infernian and Diabolos appeared in front of him.
"The Flame of purification," Diabolos hissed and glared at fire maiden after he chuckled, "No matter, you win this time Astrals, but I will be back. I still have the adagium and the Infernian with me. I will win and take control of your champions as well," purple flames started to surround them, "Until next time Warriors of Light…" he laughed as they disappeared into the flames.
"ASTRA!" Noctis went running towards them, Somnus opened his palm and lowered Astraea down. "Noct!" she jumped down Noctis was able to catch her.
"Are you okay? What did you do? And what with that blue flame," Noctis asked her.
The Ifrit's champion shook her head, "Don't know…"
"WARRIORS OF LIGHT!" Bahamut called them.
They both looked up but were blinded by a white light when they opened their eyes there were not on the island anymore but it was on a bluish plane.
"Where are we?" Noctis asked as handed Solis back to Astraea and unsummoned his sword at the same time. Carbuncle jumped up to his shoulder, "We are in the Astral plane, where the Astrals slept,"
"Really? That's kinda cool" Astraea looked down to see her rapier sheath is gone, she frowned, "Are you looking for this?" Reno handed her the sheath. "Thank Reno, and thank you for saving us." Reno smiled, "Don't thank me… thank them…." he looked ahead to find the five Astrals standing before them, Titan is at the far left side beside him is Ramuh both looking at them. Bahamut hovering at the center while Shiva is on his right side while Leviathan's long body encircled them from above but her head is beside Shiva.
Carbuncle jumped down and went in front, Reno did the same, they gracefully bowed their head down. "Thank you dear Astrals for saving our master…" they both said in unison. Astraea and Noctis went beside them and bowed their heads down too, "Thank you for saving me and especially Astraea.."
"Don't thank them yet, King of Light," Somnus's voice came from behind them. They looked back to see he still had his armor.
"Why? And your Somnus Lucis Caelum right? the founder king?" Astraea asked.
Somnus continued to walk and he stopped in front of them below Bahamut. "Yes, I'm" his appearance changed and into his human form and greeted them with a warm smile, "Welcome to the Astral plane, Warriors of Light,"
They both bowed down towards the founder King, "What do you mean, Your Majesty?" Noctis asked as he raised his head.
"Please call me Somnus, Prince Noctis," he smiled at him, "What I mean is that we can't go there without your help if you did not go there and followed Astraea will don't have a way to get to the dark realm and we won't be able to save her. You made it possible and beside you call us.." Somnus eyes darted down on Noctis's finger.
Noctis looked down to see him wearing the Ring of Lucii.
"Astraea walked beside him, Is that the Rin-"
"The ring of Lucii, yes," Somnus cut her off, "That reason we are able to go to the dark realm and rescued the both of you,"
"So… what took you so long?" Astraea asked.
All of them turned to her looking at her in disbelief. She just shrugged her shoulder and continued. "Why let us go through all of that if you are just going to help us anyway?"
"We want to test the two of you," Ramuh is the first astral to talk.
"Test us?" she asked again.
"Yes, the trial of the Astral, a way of which we will determine if you're worthy is such a power,"
"The trial of the Astrals?" they both said in unison.
Both warriors of light turned to each other. Their fight is not over yet, after battling their fear, weakness, and desire, it is time for them to prove to the Astral will there are worthy to be called their champion and warriors of Light. Back at the real-world King Regis continued to watch them in silence, he gazed around to see all the people are focused on the video.
He just took a deep breath, "You can do this Noctis and Astraea showed them your both worthy,"
A/N: My filler chapters are getting longer! Sorry, looks like the game story will not start at chapter 20 maybe 23-24, I don't know I kept having ideas I wanted to incorporate it to my story and question is my chapter too long? Do I need to cut them into two?
I almost forgot Diabolos height is the same as God of fire Ifrit (43.34 ft)
THANK YOU! Hope you enjoy this and have a wonderful day!✩
Next chapter The trials of the Astrals and Caelum's Dark Past
