A/N: the first scene was taken from Episode Ardyn. I just made a few adjustments.


Recalling of the Past: The Cursed Blessing
"No matter how many good deeds you perform, your past sins cannot be erased" -Sheele (Akame ga Kill!)


Silence filled the room again the sound of the fire crackling and the ticking clock is the only sound that can be heard. The people here waiting for the founder king to speak. He had been silent for three minutes straight. For he is battling, his inner daemon as he remembered the last time he saw his dear brother. It was 15 years ago when Ardyn attacked the Crown city with Ifrit. The Adagium was able to defeat the young King Regis and he was forced to intervene. He did not know why he said those awful things to his brother.

...

"You were tainted - unfit to sit the throne," Somnus said in his Lucii form while fighting with Ardyn. "Please brother. Return to the darkness where you came.

"Now? But I'm having so much fun!" Ardyn replied sarcastically, "To think I'll get the pleasure of killing you myself," They continue to fight, "What's wrong dear brother? Too afraid to put down your expensive toy and come face me yourself," Ardyn continued to mock him, "Let the game begin!"

"This is no beginning… only the end….. This is preposterous! How could one so impure possess such power!? I was right to have you sealed away… You are truly a monster brother!"

He did not know why he acted like that knowing the truth about Ardyn and how he became the Adagium. Anger took him, that's the reason why Ardyn was able to defeat him with the help of the Infernian.

"I did to you was unforgiving. But I did it for the future of our kingdom- of our people" he said while he returned to his human form.

"A small sacrifice for the good of society, How noble!"

"Our line has done everything in our power to protect our people… just as the gods bade. I was merely fulfilling my calling." the founder king said while kneeling on the ground.

Ardyn chuckled, "... And here I thought I was the blessed one, but it was you all along,"

"I dare not ask your forgiveness, but I do ask for your understanding, I did it for As-"

Ardyn did not let him finish and shouted at him "WHAT?! You took everything from me… EVERYTHING… and you ask, my understanding!?"

He stopped for he remembered that Ardyn won't remember their sister, after all, her existence was erased. What remained of Ardyn's memory is how he took the crown from him. He wanted to tell him the truth about Astraea but he did not for Astraea still needed protection from him, from Diabolos. So he looked at his brother with sadness for he can't do anything for him, he needs to wait for the King of Light and for his sister to come back to save him and the Eos.

"I pray your soul find repose… Brother…" Somnus softly said while his spirit disappeared.

"Somnus?"

"Master…"

He snapped from his trance as he heard the worried voice of the two guardians. He gazed at them, "My apologies…" he bent his head slightly. Reno and Cally looked at each other then back at the founder king.

"Somnus…" Reno whispered, "You don't have to do this… let me…"

"No… I have to do this… I have to commit, for I have learned no matter how many good deeds you perform, your past sins cannot be erased. I need to do this Reno… so let me…" Somnus sincerely said.

The red-haired guardian just backed away and gave the founder king his space.

The people inside the room just stayed silent.

"Now where are we…" Somnus asked.

"You're going to tell them about Ardyn's blessing," Cally faintly answered.

He looked at him, "Yes… thank you, Cally," he patted her on the head, "Lets us continue… After six months of peace, Diabolos attacked again and plunged the Eos into the darkness with the help of Miasma. Daemons started appearing again and a new plague emerged that can turn humans and animals into daemons. We named it the Starscourge," he explained, "At first we don't know what to do. We are able to defeat and kill the daemons, But every day new daemons appear and everyday people turn into daemons. Eos was plunged into chaos once more and the night got longer and longer." The sphere showed a dark sky above the island of Angelgard.

"The people started to lose hope but something happened…" Somnus paused, "For us to defeat the darkness Bahamut granted my brother, Ardyn, a blessing with which he can cure those people infected with the Starscourge." the sphere lit up again and showed his memory.

Ardyn, Gilgamesh, Reno, and Somnus were standing in the rain outside the town of Nibelheim guarding a makeshift open tent where Astraea, Aera, and Rosa were helping the wounded soldiers, dressing their wounds. Suddenly they heard an old wooden carriage speeding towards them and it stopped a few feet from them. A man stepped out and took someone out from the back.

"Lord Somnus… Lord Ardyn Please help us!" A man pleaded and kneeled in front of the sibling.

"What wrong?" Ardyn walked towards them.

"My daughter... she's infected with the scourge… please save her," The father removed the cloth covering his daughter. The child's skin is now covered with black tendrils all over her body and whimpering form the pain.

Ardyn eyes widened, "I can heal her, please take her inside…" Ardyn said and guided the father inside the tent.

Somnus grabbed his right arm, "Brother… you don't have to do this… she's not important."

Ardyn pulled his arm away, "It's my duty and calling Somnus... just stand guard,"

Somnus's blue eyes followed his brother inside the tent, the father sent down his daughter in one of the vacant rugs on the ground. Astraea went towards them in a hurry and ready to apply first aid but Ardyn stopped her.

"Astraea, do not touch her… she's infected," she backed away and left Ardyn to do his work. Ardyn kneeled on the ground and held his right hand above the child, he murmured something under his breath after his hand glowed, the child cried in pain as the Starscourge started to leave her body, a black mist went into Ardyn's hand absorbing it. A few seconds later the child opened her eyes. The father rejoiced and hugged his daughter,"

"Thank you, dear Healer… thank you… thank you…" the man said while bowing on the ground.

"You don't have to thank me, dear sir, I'm just doing what the Astrals called me to do," the healer stood up, "Astra please tend to them…"

She nodded and started to tend to their wounds. Somnus saw everything for his eyes did not leave his brother, he saw how Ardyn hid his hand in the sleeves on his healer robe and walked towards them again, "Are you okay brother?" he asked, eyeing Ardyn's hand.

"Yes, I'm okay," he smiled at him, "Let go back into town, Gigalmesh take the lead,"

The future shield bowed down and walked away.

"Lord Ardyn has the same blessing as the Oracle?" Aerith asked.

"Yes, he was able to heal the one infected with the scourge, but unlike the current oracle it comes with a price," Somnus said as he gazed sadly at the video, "For me, it's a cursed blessing."

The two siblings, Astraea and Somnus disembarked their Chocobos and led them in the stable. Reno just turned into his human form and helped Astraea with her things.

"Brother let Astraea take a look at your hand," He turned towards his older brother to find him slumped against Aquila before he could go to him, his body fell down the ground hard, "Ardyn!" he shouted at him and ran towards him. Astraea and Reno were not far behind.

Somnus cradled his brother's body, "Brother!" he cried his name, "Reno helped me get him inside," Reno did what the founder king said, Both of them carried Arydn's unconscious body inside the palace and towards his chamber, they set him down on his bed. Astraea ran beside her brother and lifted the sleeves to find his whole arm cover with the scourge. She put her hand to cover her mouth to avoid herself from screaming. The doors burst open Aera, Rosa, and Gilgamesh arrived. The saw the scourge on Ardyn arms, a sheer look of terror can be seen in their faces. Aera suddenly went to Ardyn's bedside and caressed his face.

"Ardyn… My love can you hear me…" he did not answer.

"This is what I told him, he can't just heal anyone!" Somnus shouted as he paced back and front.

"We can't blame him, Lord Somnus. It's his duty to heal the people," Aera said holding Ardyn's left hand.

"Yes! For him to be corrupted instead!" Somnus can't stop himself from shouting.

"Brother…" Astraea went to him and held his trembling hand, "I know you worried about our brother, please stay calm, your action is just making it worse,"

Her sister was right, so he calmed down and took a seat on one of the chairs on the table. They waited for hours for Arydn to wake up, after waking up the scourge had disappeared in his arm and his back to normal. Their worry was lifted Astraea hugged her brother, "Please Addy don't ever do that again…"

"Sorry for making you worry Astra, I promise I won't do that again…" he said and looked at his younger brother. Instead of a smile, he was confronted with a scowl. Then without a word Somnus left the room with Gilgamesh and the video faded.

...

"You see my brother absorbed the scourge in his body taking the sickness with him,"

"So that means Lord Ardyn can be corrupted by Diabolos and turned into a daemon?"

"Yes, he can…" he gazed at the Marshal, "But Ardyn never once buckled under the darkness, he never let us know what he was feeling either. But I can see that the starscourge was affecting him making him weak." he paused and glanced around the room, "My brother wanted to save everyone that was infected by the plague, but he can't, his body can't take so much even with that he traveled the land searching and healing people who were infected by the plague with the Oracle. He left me in charge of Nibelheim, every night the daemon came and attacked the town to kill and slaughter our people. I learned from our past that we can't just sit around and wait so I created an army and with that army, we were able to defend the town but it was not enough, every day their number increase because of the scourge," he summoned his swords, the sword of the mystic, "Ardyn and I have different ways with dealing the scourge especially with the infected, for me, we need order and restriction. Ardyn, on the other hand, wanted compassion and kindness. So as his fellow warrior of light I did what I have to do…" he glanced at his hands, he tightened his grip on his sword. The sphere lit up again and showed his memory.

...

Somnus was talking to his second in command who was Gilgamesh, there were inside the command room and looking at the map of Eos and a few set-pieces that depicted the land they were able to conquer, it was laid across the trestle table.

"So our next target is here," the mystic pointed at the map(Prairie Outpost), "I have heard from some merchants talking about a cave. They say that people who are infected by the scourge are taking refuge inside the cave. We need to take care of them before they turn. Prepare the army, let us take one hundred soldiers this time," Gilgamesh nodded, "We leave at sunset, make sure Astraea will not be informed of our activities, she does not have to know…"

"What do you mean Somnus?"

They both turned around to see Astraea beside the open door with Reno, "What are you hiding from me brother?" She closed the door and started to walk towards them, but she stopped when they heard a horn, signaling Ardyn's arrival.

Ardyn suddenly burst through the door, his white healer robe is now covered with dirt, his face full of facial hair, by the look of it he hasn't slept properly, Area was behind him chasing after him.

Astraea eyes widened to see her older brother, It has been a month since the last time she saw him. They always ordered her to stay behind to tend to the sick. Even if she doesn't like it but she does have no choice, she can't fight like her brother. Yes she is good using a rapier but in face of the daemon, she will be weak and defenseless, she decided to stay at the palace and create her potions. She will then give it to Ardyn and Somnus for their trip. She ran towards the healer and greeted him with a smile, "Brother welcome back," Astraea went for a hug, but Ardyn went past her and went straight to Somnus.

Somnus saw the look of anger in his brother. He knew that Ardyn had been informed of his action, even with that he greeted his brother, "Welcome back brother ho-"

He was cut off by Ardyn's punching him in the jaw. He stumbled back and knocked down a few of the set-piece and chalice from the table. The healer grabbed the collar of the robe of the Mystic and raised him to his feet, "Get up!" he hissed at him.

"Brother!" Astraea shouted as she grabbed his right arm in the air as he was going to punch him again, "What was gotten into Ardyn! Please stop this!"

Ardyn pushed Astraea hard enough that she collided with the pillar, "Astraea!" Reno shouted as he ran towards her, he helped her up to her feet.

Somnus pushed Ardyn away and ran to his sister, "Are you okay Astra?" she nodded, then he turned to his brother, his eyes glared at him, "What are you thinking! pushing Astraea like that!"

The Healer was surprised at first he was worried about her, but seeing her okay, he turned his attention back to his younger brother, his eyes glared at him too, "I'm that one who should be asking that question Somnus! What the hell have you been doing!" he shouted at him and took a step forward. Astraea went in front of them, stopping them from going after each other.

"ENOUGH!" she shouted, he looked at Somnus first then Ardyn "What are you two talking about?!"

Ardyn's anger faded as he looked at his sister's eyes, "She does not know…"

"What do you mean… What is it?" she shouted while looking back and forth between the two brothers.

"Ardyn...Brother… please don't… she does not have to know…" he pleaded.

Astraea turned her full attention to him, "Brother? What did you do?"

"Remember that small town near the Longwythe Peak Astra?" Ardyn asked.

"Yes..." her eyes not leaving her brother's face, "Reno and I went there a week ago to deliver some medicine, I found out that half of the population was infected by the scourge, so I sent a carrier for you brother…" she turned to Ardyn, "Did you receive it and are you able to heal them?"

"Yes, I received your letter but when we arrived there the town was no more."

"Wait… What!?" her eyes widened, "What happened, did the daemons attack them?"

"No, ask your dear older brother here, maybe he knows what happened…" Ardyn said, hissing at Somnus.

Somnus's face dropped as he looked at his sister, "Sorry…. Sorry… I have no choice…" he paused and looked down at his feet, "They are infected… Ardyn will be too late so I…"

"What did you do!" she shouted at him.

Somnus wrenched hearing her angry voice. He is always steadfast, strict and determined he never showed his weakness around people. This made him being respected and feared by the people. But like his older brother, he was one weakness and that is their sister. Before Astraea was born they would always fight each other but that stopped when Astraea was born. Starting that day they joined forces to protect their sister, their little star. He can take all the ridicule and cruel comments from people but seeing her like this is the only thing that can break his resolve. He does not want to see her cry, to see her sad but now he is the one making her like that so he stammered his words, "They… were… infected…"

"WHAT DID YOU DO!" Astraea eyes started to tear up.

"Astra… calm down…" Ardyn put a hand on her shoulder, "I tell you…" she turned to him, "After arriving at the town we saw a pile of burned bodies, both daemon, and human alike… we investigated it and we found out that Somnus's army has been there and was responsible for doing that cruel act."

"What!?" she can't believe what she heard, she then turned to him, her eyes showing disbelief, "That is not true right Somnus" she grabbed his right hand with both hands, "Please tell you did not do that…"

Somnus's soft blue eyes glanced at her crimson one, "Yes…" he replied flatly, his sister's hand dropped to her side, "I have no choice, they are already infected! Ardyn was a week away if I let them live they will just turn into daemons and attack the nearby town, so I ended their-"

"Their life... is that it Somnus? you ended their life…" Ardyn said, glaring at him.

He glared back, "No, their suffering I ended their suffering. As the Champion of Bahamut's, it's my duty and calling to protect our people from the darkness. I did what I have to do to save the lives of the many, we have to make sacrifices!"

"That is not our duty Somnus! our duty is to save everyone!"

"And how do we do that, Ardyn! I got a letter from Aera that you lose unconsciousness again brother! This time you slept for two days straight! So tell how you can save them all if your body can't take it anymore!"

Ardyn was taken aback, he gazed at his fiance, his eyes asking her why she told him that. Before Aera could answer Somnus spoke again this time his voice is higher than usual, "Besides they were corrupted for their hearts are weak! Their hearts are filled with negative emotions. We can't let Diabolos use that against us. A weak heart can't survive in this world, so I did what I had to do, to cut down those who are weak and unfaithful towards the Astral! This is my calling, for I'm a warrior of L-"

SLAP! The sound of Astraea hand slapping Someone's face filled the room.

Back at the King's chamber, Reno saw Somnus' right cheek starting to turn red, he chuckled, "Is it that strong?"

All of them stopped looking at the video which is now paused and looked at the founder King to see his right cheek was swollen, "Yes… is that strong…" Somnus touched his face as he remembered the feeling, "To be exact her slap is stronger than Ardyn's punch," he chuckled sadly, "She can pack a punch."

"Yeah…" the guardian smiled, "Astraea seem to be gentle and kind but she can take anything down by sheer will, that is what makes her dangerous, right shield?" Reno smirked at Clarus.

Clarus just glared at him, remembering the time Astraea was able to throw him on the ground, "Can we continue?"

Reno just smiled and turned towards the Mystic, Somnus nodded and the video resume.

...

Somnus slowly turned his head towards her, to find her crying but her eyes were glaring at him, "You call yourself a warrior of Light Somnus!" she snapped at him, "A Warrior of light supposed to give hope not despair, to save lives not take them!" Somnus opened his mouth to speak but she did not let him, "You're just making it worse brother! The people will fear you now and they will lose their fate of Bahamut because one of its champions is killing people without giving them a second chance to live! You're not a warrior of light, you're just making Diabolos work easier… you're just like the daemons you despise,"

The people stayed silent as Astraea backed away from her brother. He just looked at her wide-eyed, not saying anything, for she was right. Before he could speak Astraea went marching out the room passing Ardyn and Aera, "RENO lets go! I want to see it myself!"

"Wait! what!" Reno said as he followed her, "We can't go it's too dangerous!"

"If you're not taking me, I will go alone!" she shouted at him, Reno just sighed in defeat and suddenly turned into his phoenix form she straddled him before anyone could say a word Reno flew out the door.

"WAIT! ASTRA! It's too dangerous!" Aera shouted and she turned to her fiance, "Ardyn is already night time, the daemon might attack them!"

"Let go Aera, we need to follow them," he turned to his brother before leaving, "If anything happens to her it will be your fault, Somnus," he said in a disappointing tone,

Aera and Ardyn left the room slamming the door shut behind them. Somnus exhaled loudly and slumped his back against the pillar, he touched his face where Astraea slapped him a minute ago, "Is my action wrong Gilgamesh? I just want to protect our people… to protect her..."

Gilgamesh sighed and put a firm hand on the mystic shoulder, "Your thought is noble Somnus, but your action is not.." he looked at him in disbelief. Gilgamesh has always been on his side following his orders, but now Gilgamesh is starting to lose his faith in him, maybe fearing him as well as like Astraea said they would. The future shield saw this and smiled sadly at him, "But you are right, we can't save all of them, Somnus, we need to make sacrifices to save Eos. Your sibling will understand it someday. So follow what is in your heart Somnus… I will be at your side always."

"Thank you Gilgamesh…" he stood straight and arranged his robe, "Let go we need to go after Astraea…"

The future shield nodded and they went out the door and the video faded to black.

"See Regis… acting in mere instinct will only lead to trouble," he gazed at the King, "I learned it the hard way, I thought I was protecting them, but in the end, I ended up hurting them more," Another memory was being projected yet again.

Somnus and Gilgamesh were walking in the stable, where they met up with Ardyn and Aera. The couple is now riding Aquila and ready to set out when another horn was blown this time signaling Daemon attacked. Ardyn kicked Aqualia's side, it made the Chocobo sprinted towards the entrance and out the town, Somnus and Gilgamesh followed and when they reached the entrance of the town they found a horde of daemons coming their way. Ardyn and Somnus don't have a choice but to work together to defeat the daemon. With the help of the Somnus's army, they were able to slaughter all the daemons. Both brothers without resting straddled their Chocobo and ready to set out to go to their sister but before they could go further, Reno suddenly crashed in front of them their eyes widened to see the guardian with several wounds and Astraea lying unconscious on his back.

"Astra!" Ardyn jumped down from Aquila and ran towards his sister. He cradled her body. He was surprised to see several cuts all over her body. "We need to take her back to the palace!" Ardyn shouted, "Reno are you okay? Can you take Aera!" Reno nodded and turned to his Chocobo form. He ran towards his Chocobo, But Somnus was in the way and tried to touch Astraea, "DON'T YOUR DARE!" he bared his teeth at him, "This is your fault, so don't you dare touch her,"

The Mystic backed away and let his brother take his sister away. Reno followed soon with Aera on his back. Somnus was just left there standing in the middle of the battlefield, He tightened his hand into a fist and cursed himself and the video stopped and faded to black.

...

"What happened after that Somnus was Astraea alright?" Aerith asked.

"She yes was," he nodded, "Reno was able to heal her with his tears but she slept for two days, but after that, she was okay and back to normal. I never did thank you for that, Reno…" he turned to him and his eyes widened, to see Reno had several faint cuts on his face. "Reno.. your fa-"

"It's okay Somnus, I can take it, please continue," Reno said while brushing the cuts away.

"Wait, you can feel physical pain too? just by watching a memory?" Dave asked.

"Recalling a memory with power of the Astrals can do that," Cally explained as she gazed at him. "You can feel both the emotion and physical pain, but just a little bit, but the stronger the memory the stronger the effect with be,"

"Speaking of effect, Reno did you cut your connection with Astra?" Somnus asked.

"Yes… Of course, I don't want her to feel this…"

"Good to know… I don't want to hurt her more…" Somnus smiled sadly.

"Is this the way Astraea could get her memory back and how do we do it?" Regis asked.

"Yes..." Somnus stated, "But First you need to know how she lost her memory and after that, you can be the judge if we need to return it to her or make her forget forever,"

"It's that bad…" Dave murmured.

"Yes, it is," Somnus answered.

Another minute of silence ensued. Nobody wanted to talk again except the king's shield.

"So… what happened after that… Did you continue what you're doing, founder King?" Clarus asked, eyeing the founder King.

The mystic's eyes glanced at him, "Yes… yes, I did, after the incident with Astraea, I was more determined to end the starscourge. Even if I have to kill everybody infected with the scourge."

"Did you?" Aerith hesitantly asked.

Somnus exhaled deeply, "Yes, I did… Because of that Ardyn left the palace with Aera to heal people, while I continued to slaughter them without mercy, to annihilate the starscourge is my mission, and nothing will stop me in doing so." Somnus eyes glanced at the fireplace, "I started to burn down entire villages, if there were signs of the scourge there," The wood in the fireplace snapped and crackled and it sent embers flying in the air. He gazed at it momentarily and then he continued, "Because of that Ardyn vowed to stop me, we fought once or twice by ending up in a draw, and maybe because Astraea will go in front of us to stop us hurting each other." the sphere lit up again.

Somnus and his army were walking through the town center ready to launch another attack. The town people ran out their way and hid in their houses. But someone was brave enough to stop them and it was Ardyn.

Somnus stepped forward, "Get out of the way big brother, we have a mission to fulfill."

"Stop this Somnus!" Ardyn waived his right hand down, "This inhumane, you can't do this, there is another way!"

"And what is that brother? You can't heal everyone. Your body can't take all the darkness away."

"There is another way! we just need to look or wait for it,"

"We can't wait forever, Ardyn… so please stand aside."

Ardyn remained steadfast, "No! If you continue your vicious attack. I will stop you right here and right now!"

"What are you going to kill me?" Somnus mocked, "The healer of the people will use violence, it's not like you brother." he smirked at him.

"Have you forgotten Somnus… I thought you how to use I sword," the healer summoned his sword, "I can beat you without killing you, dear brother,"

Somnus smirked and summoned his sword too, "No one will interfere!" he ordered his men and they stayed behind him as we walked forward.

The two were on the standstill, Ardyn was holding his sword with his two hands doing a back stance, while Somnus did a hanging stance. The people around them started to murmur, then as the wind picked up they both charged forward. Thrusting their broadsword forward.

"Stop!" someone screamed at them, with a blink of an eye, Astraea was in front of them her arms spread wide. They did not have time to stop and people screamed around them. Both brother's eyes widened, Astraea was facing Ardyn and both Ardyn's and Somnus's blade went passed the side of her neck missing her by inch but close enough to create a faint cut and draw blood as a result of that her long black hair up to her waist in now cut by the shoulder. Both brothers jumped back and held their swords down.

"What the hell are you doing ASTRAEA!" Ardyn yelled at her.

" What I'm doing!?" she questioned, "The real question is WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO DOING!" she snapped back at them, her crimson eyes glaring right through their soul.

...

"By the grace of the Astrals, that gave a heart attack!" Aerith said while clutching her chest.

"You said it..." Dave added as he regained his composure.

"Your majesty are you okay?" Clarus asked as he went to Regis.

Regis's head was slumped down and his breathing was erratic and he was holding his heart too, "I'm okay Clarus…"

"Are you sure, Regis?" Clarus said as he put a hand on his back.

"Yes, thank you," he smiled at his shield then and turned towards Reno and Somnus, both were emotionless together with Cally.

"It did not affect you two?" Cor asked as he gazed at the two.

"Us?" Reno asked, "Yeah...well we are used to it, after all, that is not the first time she did that, it was her second time and not her last. So yeah we're used to it," Reno smiled.

'Her last?' Aerith thought, 'What did he mean by that?'

After making sure the king was alright, Clarus went back to his seat, "What do you mean by that Reno?" he asked while sitting down.

Reno just grinned and said, "Well apparently Somnus here did not listen to his sister," Reno leaned and put his right elbow on warrior's shoulder he looked at the founder blue eyes, "He and Ardyn went it again after a week and a week after that, but everything they do that, Astraea would go in front of them again and stopped them, but the fourth time was different,"

"Different how?" Regis asked.

"See it for yourself," the sphere lit up showed his memory.

Reno, Aera, Gilgamesh, and Rosa were watching the three of them. The trio was standing in the middle of the palace courtyard as the palace people gathered around them. Both brothers had their sword out and ready to attack.

"Stop this!" Astraea shouted she was in front of the brothers again.

"Get out of the way, Astra! I need to stop Somnus!"

"Listen to our brother, Astraea, get out of the way, I can handle him," the raven-haired warrior said as he pointed the sword at his brother.

"You two are the one who needs to stop! STOP THIS NONSENSE!" she shouted again eyeing both brothers, "Lower your weapons!"

"Are you ordering us Astraea?" Somnus asked.

"No, I'm making a treat!" she snapped back at him, "I said lower your weapon or else?"

"Or else what?" he glared at her.

Before he could speak, Astraea sprinted towards the younger brother and did a roundhouse kick, her feet collided with his stomach that sent the warrior backward before he could recover, she took the chance and smacked the blade out of his hand and threw it away from them. Then she grabbed his right wrist, twisted it and threw him over her shoulder and slammed him on the ground. Then she twisted his shoulder so that it would dislocate, Somnus screamed in pain. Then she sprinted toward Ardyn.

Ardyn was quick and unsummoned his blade and held his hand up, "Wait, Astra! I gave up!" he pleaded, but she did not listen and did the same thing, she dislocated his right shoulder too. After that Astraea brushed the hair away from her face. While both her older brothers were on the ground wailing in pain.

"Your sword!" she shouted at Ardyn, without a second thought the older brother summoned it and gave it to her.

She grabbed it and went to get the other blade, with two blades at hand. She gazed around, "Nobody will give them medication! and they are not allowed to go out of the palace! Got it!" nobody answered so she shouted louder and with more authority, "I SAID GOT IT!" she turned towards the soldiers.

They suddenly stood straight and they folded arms into their chest and bowed down, "Yes, Your Highness!"

Without saying anything Astraea stumped inside the palace with both swords and slammed the door shut.

"Wow! I forgot about how fierce Astraea was back then," Reno chuckled and gazed around to see the reaction of the people. All of them are shocked, their jaw agape and their eyes wide. Then he turned towards the founder king to find him on his knees catching his breath, "Are you alright Sommy?" he said mockingly as he held his hand to him.

Somnus glared at him but took his hand anyway, "You're really enjoying this huh... bird Bird,"

"Why would you say that…" he laughed and walked over to the king's desk and got the chair in front of it and brought it back to him, "Here sit down…"

The warrior just sighed and took a seat and held his shoulder, "I forgot how painful that was," he said while rubbing his shoulder. While The people inside the room collected themselves.

"Wow, Astraea is truly amazing," Dave said.

"Yeah, she truly was…" Reno murmured.

"Why did you not fight back Somnus?" Regis asked.

He glanced at him, "I could never hurt my sister..."

"Yeah…" Reno crossed his arms, "You could never HURT her…." he was smirking but his eyes were glaring at the mystic.

The people saw how Somnus's face dropped with his arms, they knew that there was a hidden meaning of what Reno said but they decided not to ask. Reno saw this he sighed and went back to being cheerful, "So what next?"

"Reno is right, what happened after that," The king asked again.

Somnus just stared at them and continued his story, "Just what Astraea ordered. They never let us go out of the palace, we remained inside the palace for a week recovering from our injury. We are lucky back then, that the daemons did not attack during that week and just like our sister said, they never did gave us medication," he chuckled, "Astraea did not even talk to us…Because of that, I came to realized that what I'm doing is wrong, I want to talk to my brother but I was afraid of what he might say… so I decided to keep it to myself,"

The sphere started to lit up, they were surprised.

"Whose memory is that?" Reno asked.

"Mine!" Cally jumped down from the coffee table and jumped up to Somnus's shoulder. She wrapped her tail around his neck and glanced at everyone, "Just like Astraea, my master here was a talent of singing."

"Cally don't you dare!" Somnus snarled at the guardian.

"Sorry but they have to know,"

Before Somnus could reply her memory started to show.

Carbuncle was on Somnus's left shoulder as the warrior of light went walking towards the lotus pond. He stopped and gazed at the beautiful pink flowers.

"What am I doing Cally? Why can I just tell him and admit I was wrong."

"Well, admitting one's wrongdoing is a trial itself, so don't think about it so much master," she said while jumping down on the railing of the gazebo.

"Maybe you're right, I should take my time and should thank Astraea first… she made me realize that I need to change my ways," he touched his injured shoulder which is now held on a sling as he took a seat at the railing, "Do you think she will forget me, Cally?"

"The princess will never be mad at you, you just need to wait until her temper dies down…" Cally went curled into his lap.

"Yeah your right, she was scary right?" Somnus glanced down and patted Cally on the head with his left hand.

"Yes, really scary, she is scarier than Bahamut.."

The master and guardian both chuckled then silence filled the air.

Somnus took a deep breath and whispered, "I hope you can forgive me, brother…" he took another deep breath and started to sing. (Brother My brother - Blessid Union of Souls (with lyrics)). After his song, he just took a deep breath and gazed at the lotus flowers.

"So..." a female-voice trailed off behind him, he snapped his head back to see who it was. Astraea was standing there, with her hands behind her back.

"So… I really got my talent for singing from you Sommy…" she said while smiling and walking toward him.

"Really how about Ardyn? he can sing too,"

"Well I heard Ardyn serenade Aera one time," she shook her head, "It's not very good," she said while smiling.

"Don't let Ardyn hear that he will be devastated, he is proud of his singing voice," he patted her on the head, "Why are you here? It's already midnight, you should rest."

"Same goes to you, you should be resting," she glanced at his injured shoulder and frowned, "Sorry…" she murmured.

He titled his head, What's that? I did not hear it?" he asked while smiling.

She knew he was just pretending she wanted to smack him on the head instead she bowed her head, "I'm so sorry… so sorry brother…"

Her brother just smiled and patted her on the head again, "You don't have to apologize. I should be the one who should. So sorry… Astraea for making you worry and putting your life in danger,"

She suddenly hugged him, he hugged her back with his uninjured arm. Something dropped on the ground with a clang.

"Sorry..." she picked it up and handed it to him, "Here, your sword I'm giving it back to you…"

He eyed his sword and then her face, "How do I suppose to hold that?" he asked mockingly.

She just glared at him and pulled out a glass vail from her pocket and set the sword down beside them, "Here held up your arm,"

"What is your potion? It won't help me, Astra,"

"Just give me your arm," she yanked it, he hissed, "Sorry, I just need to take this sling out of the way," she said while unwrapping the cloth away. Then she popped the cork with her teeth and poured the liquid on her brother's shoulder, it glowed blue and died down, "It is healed now try it," she smiled.

Somnus looked at her in bewilderment but tried to move his shoulder, she was right, it all healed up, "How? How did you do that? Your potion doesn't work like that,"

"I created a new potion, but I did ask Reno for his feather and tears,"

"You ask him?"

"Okay fine!, I plucked them and that made him cry then I collected his tears Okay!" she said while crossing her arms.

"You know Astra, sometimes you are truly very evil, you're truly our evil little sister…" he chuckled.

"I'm proud to be," she laughed, then she lowered her head down, "Sorry.."

"For what?" he said and made her sit down beside him. Cally jumped to her shoulder and nuzzled herself in her neck.

She patted the guardian and looked at her brother, "For being weak...and useless…"

"What!" the prince's eyes widened, "You're not weak and you're not useless Astraea. Don't you ever think that! Your potion helped us a lot and without you stopping our fight one of us will be dead by now, so stop your negative thoughts," he hugged her.

"Funny… that what Ardyn said to me, you have the same way of thinking," she broke the embrace and smiled at him.

"Wait so… you went to Ardyn first before coming to me then?"

"Yes.. why are you jealous, Sommy?"

"What! me jealous of him, never!" he turned his head away.

She chuckled, "We're fine now right? You are not angry with me?"

He gazed at her, "As long you're not angry with me too Astra."

She nodded then hugged her brother. They both shared a deep hug, "I love you… Sommy…" she whispered.

"Love you too… Astra," he replied while brushing her hair.

Astraea broke and hugged and pulled something out of her pocket. "Hey look what Reno gave me,"

"That's a memory sphere, one of our creations back at Solheim, do you know how to use it?"

"Yup! I do I even made a recording,"

"Let me see," The sphere lit up and showed him signing his heart out.

"I knew it was hard for you to talk to our brother so I was going to show it to him," she laughed and grabbed the sphere and stood up.

"NO! erase that!"

"NOPE!" she stuck her tongue out at him, "See ya Sommy!" she started to run, "ADDY! I got something to show you!" she shouted at the top of her lungs.

Cally saw how Somnus grabbed his sword and went chasing them, "Faster Princess, Your brother is right after our tail.

"Get back here, Astra! Cally! Don't even dare to show that to anyone!"

Astraea and Carbuncle just laughed out loud as then went inside the palace. Then the sphere turned off.

"Carbuncle!" Somnus snarled and about to grab the guardian. But she was fast and jumped down and went towards King Regis to hide, "Cally come back here! I said don't show that memory to anyone!"

Cally stuck her head out from behind Regis's cape, her ears moving up and down, "Sorry, I thought it will help them to understand you more, master," she laughed.

Reno chucked and whacked a hand on the back of the founder king, it made him stumble a bit, "I never knew you have a great singing voice… oh great… founder king…" he mocked.

Suddenly Somnus summoned his sword and slashed it towards the guardian. Reno was able to duck and went towards the king, "Woah! Stop! I'm only kidding Somnus!"

"Well, now we know where Astraea got her impulsive side…" Aerith whispered to her brother. Somnus heard that and glared at the hunter, "Sorry!" Aerith blurted out and bowed.

"Don't be Aerith," Reno walked behind her, "Your right, Astraea got her impulsive and reckless side from Somnus, and she got the calm and kind side from Ardyn," He smiled at Somnus who was still glaring at him.

Somnus just sighed in defeat unsummoned his blade and pinched the bridge of his nose and took a seat, "Enough with your shenanigan Reno, just tell them what happened next and how Astraea turned the tide of war,"

Reno saw how Somnus became serious so he straightened himself and went in front.

"Well then… that out of the way, let me tell you about how the fire maiden was born!" he said while smiling then the sphere lit up and showed his memory.

Reno's consciousness was fading in and out, "Reno…wake up...Tenno..." a voice kept calling him and shaking his right shoulder. He just shrugged his shoulder and turned to his side.

"RENO!" the voice grabbed his shoulder tightly.

He bolted upright, left hand turned into talons and ready to attack whoever grabbed his shoulder. His hands stopped in midair as he saw Astraea sitting on the edge of his bed and looking up at him in a frightened expression. His eye widened as he saw his sharp talons were mere inches from her face. She gulped and backed away from him slowly.

"ASTRAEA!" he shouted and retracted his talons and it returned to normal, "Are you okay? Did I hurt you?" his voice full of concern, she shook her head, "Please don't ever do that… princess…" he said while sitting up straight.

"Sorry, I did knock a few times and waited for a minute or two and you did not answer and I heard you whimpering I got worried, so I went inside to find you trashing in your sleep,"

"Me?trashing?"

"Ah huh..looks like you're having a nightmare, are you okay?" she touched his right cheek.

"Yes," Reno lowered his head as he remembered his dream. The same dream he always had for the past year, the fall of Solheim. But he won't tell her that, he doesn't want to remind her about that tragic night, so he raised his head and smiled at her, "So what brings of her anyway Princess,"

Astraea knew he was trying to hide something from her, just like her brothers, and she knew that he would never tell her about his dreams, so she just brushed it aside and smiled, "I told you not to call me Princess!" she whacked him on the head.

"Ouch.. so you just woke me up so that you can whack me?" Reno said while rubbing his head.

"No…" she lowered her head and started clutching and squeezing her hands, "I want you to do something for me Reno…"

He saw how her eyes changed from cheerful to serious, "Astraea? What is it? I do my best to do it."

Astraea gazed at him and held his hands, "Bring me to Mt. Ravatogh!"

"WHAT!" Reno stood up from the bed and looked down at her.

She followed him, "Come on Reno, Please take me there!"

"Why? You know how dangerous it is!"

"Yes, I know the danger… I want to talk to the Infernian,"

"Ifrit? Why do you want to talk to him,"

Astraea gazed at the fireplace and walked slowly towards it and stopped in front of it, she put her right hand into her heart, "Maybe he will give me his blessing, just like what he did to my father…"

"Why would you do that?" he walked beside her.

"I want to help...not just tending the sick and wounded, I want to fight like you and my brothers so please Reno…" she held his hands again.

"Have you tried talking to Bahamut?"

"Yes… I was praying in front of his Crystal but he won't answer me. I've been doing that for the past months but nothing ever happened. So I thought I was praying at the wrong Astral… and maybe… Ifrit would listen and answer me,"

"Ifrit won't answer Astraea, he's asleep, you know,"

"You don't know that! Please Reno I beg of you, take me to " she kneeled, "Please I want to help my brother…I don't want to be a burden anymore," Her tears started to fall.

He went down, "Astraea please don't do that, you're not a burden..." he helped her up and brushed her tears away and looked at her crimson eyes. It was glowing beautifully because it was reflecting the fire, "Are you sure you want this?"

"Yes…" she nodded.

"Fine…" he sighed in defeat and lowered his head down, "Go and prepare your things, I will take you there…"

"Really! Thank you Reno!" she went for a hug then she backed away, "I'm all ready for the trip! She held her satchel bag to him, it was full of necessary items, a few potions veil, clean cloth, and a glass water bottle.

He looked at it and smiled, "You come prepared…"

"Of course, after all, I know you will say yes," she smiled at him, "Let go before the sleeping potion wears off," he dragged him out the room.

"Sleeping potion?" he said while following her in the hallway.

"Yup! I can't sneak out so I put the soldiers to sleep,"

"Ardyn and Somnus will be mad at you Astraea,"

"I know, that's why I put them to sleep too," she turned and smiled at him, "So let us hurry, my potion will lose its effect after five hours," she started to run.

They both arrived at the stable Reno stayed outside while Astraea went to grab his saddle. When she went back he was now on his Phoenix form.

She gazed at him for a few seconds admiring his vibrant feather, "Wow Reno…" she walked forward and touched the side of his neck, "You are truly breathtaking,"

He chuckled, "Really? this is not even my real size,"

She backed away from him, "Really how big are you truly?"

The guardian lowered his head to her, "Remember the giant blackbird,"

"You mean the Zu?" he nodded, "Wow ok then… let us not transform into a gigantic bird, we're trying to sneak out... so a big red bird the size of a small mountain is a dead give away," she laughed, "But still I want to see it someday."

He chuckled, "But of course Princess…" he bowed down.

She frowned and plucked a feather from his crest.

"Ouch!" he whined and raised his head.

"Shhh… be quiet we're trying to sneak out remember…" she grinned while pocketing his feather. Then she went and put the saddle on him. After making sure it securely fastened she straddled him.

Reno spread his wings, "The journey to Mt. Ravatogh will take several hours, so go ahead and sleep for a while"

"NO!" she shouted but quickly lowered her voice down, "We need to get there and be back before the sleeping potions wear off. This our secret mission nobody needs to know about this, so go ahead fly as fast as you can!" she ordered.

Reno smirked and winked at her, "Okay then! hold on tight Astraea!"

Before she could say a word, Reno leaped out from the ground and went flying at top speed.

"Eehhkkk!" she squealed and hugged his neck, he just laughed and went straight up. The sound of the wind rushing and the flapping of his wings are the only sounds that could be heard and then he burst through the dark cloud and hovered above it. Where the stars are visible.

"Princess… open your eyes," she did not for she is still hugging him tightly, "Astraea, open your eyes…"

She opened it and he heard her awed, "Wow, it's beautiful!"

For the past months, the stars started to disappear as the miasma started to take over the sky. Even in the day, the sky is still dark like there is always a looming shadow over the land. He glanced up to see her smiling, the princess has always loved stargazing and seeing her like that gave him a warm and satisfying feeling.

"Hold on tight Astraea!"

She nodded and seated herself properly and grabbed the horns off the saddle. They flew about 25 minutes then they reached the end of the desert plain and to the lush landscape. Reno lowered himself down to let Astraea see the greenery. Then they arrived where Solheim once stood. They both looked down to see the blue flames emanating from the meteor. Then Reno felt a water drop, his blue eyes glanced up to see she was crying silently. He always hated it to see her crying. He uttered a tsk and glared at the meteor. Without giving any warning he dove down towards the crater.

"REENOO!" she grabbed his neck as they plummeted down with great speed.

He circled the meteor, they were so close that they could feel immense heat coming from the flaming meteor. Then he flew towards one of the stone arches nearby.

"Reno please stop!" she exclaimed.

The phoenix did not listen and did loops around the stone arches. She suddenly grabbed his feather crest and yanked it back hard enough that Reno lost his focus and collided with the base of the stone arches. Astraea was thrown off him as he suddenly transformed into his human form. He saw it and hugged her protectively and pointed his body down to absorb the impact. His wing burst out from his back but it was too late he just wrapped his wings around her as they plummeted downward. They first landed on the trees and then on the cold hard ground.

Reno gasped as air escaped his lung when he collided with the ground, He put his head back and rested it on the ground, his wing slowly opened revealing the unharmed Astraea.

"Reno!" she cried while on top of him.

"Wow! Reno, you truly did care for her… Astraea is blessed to have you," Aerith stated as she gazed at his memory.

"Are you alright Reno?" Somnus asked.

Reno just nodded and smiled and returned his gaze at his memory.

"Reno!" she shouted his name and cupped his face with two hands. He just raised his head and smiled at her.

"Are you okay, Princess?" he said while grinning.

Astraea just scoffed and punched him on the chest, "Why did you do that!"

Reno raised himself and sat down while she went and sat down beside him. He just sighed and looked at her, he gently raised his right hand and brushed her tears away, "I just don't want to see you crying that's all, I'm sorry," he said as gently as possible.

She just lowered her head down and murmured, "Thanks Reno…but…" she then glared at him and whacked him on the head, "Don't ever do that ever again. I will not ride you anymore if you do that!"

He chuckled then stood up, "As your wish princess," he bowed.

She stood up and crossed her arms. He saw this and chuckled again, "Let go we still have a long way to go, can you ride without a saddle?" she nodded, "Well then let us continue," Reno turned into a phoenix again, she straddled him and they continued the journey. They arrived at Mt. Ravatogh within 45 minutes.

He landed at the open field near a giant nest. She disembarked him and waited for him to turn into a human. After returning to his human form Reno ran his hand through his hair and smiled at her, she smiled back and started to walk.

"Hey Reno, remember that?" she pointed at the nest.

"Yes, it's the nest where you found me right?"

"Yup, and this where I met your mother, she did ask me to take care of you before she died,"

"Well, I'm very blessed that raised me, by the way, why did you climb the volcano anyway?"

She stopped and pondered, "I can't remember…"

"Really? that's a shame..."

"I don't remember but enough of that, let's just focus on the task at hand," he nodded and guided her. After walking past a haven they dropped down the side of the mountain two times towards a river of lava. They stopped and looked at it.

"Now what?" she asked.

Reno crouched down and his left hand turned into talons and touched the lava, in an instance the lava stopped flowing and hardened.

"Wow that cool!" she awed.

"I need to carry you, it can still burn you," she nodded and let him carry her bridal style. He walked slowly to reach where the lava was coming from. A small cave where horns like stone sticking out the ground. He made sure that the ground was cold enough before he lowered her.

"Here we are," Reno said while looking down the pool of lava.

"Where the Infernian?"

"Down there," he pointed at the pool of lava, "The heart of the mountain where Ifrit lay fast asleep. So go ahead, he might hear you here,"

She looked at him and nodded, suddenly she kneeled. She hissed as her knees were being burned.

"Astraea!" she grabbed her and tried to yank her up, she just pushed him aside.

"Let me do this Reno!" she glared at him. Reno just sighed and backed away.

Astraea kept her focus even though the pain on her knees was unbearable. She lowered her head down, "Ohh great Infernian... God of Fire… please hear my call," she prayed, "Grant me your blessing so that I can help those who are in the darkness, Please help me save them," she started to cry, her tears evaporated after touching the ground, "Please…." she pleaded, "I want to save them… I want to save and help my brothers…. our people…" there was no answer at all, only silent. She then bent more closely at the ground, her forehead touching the hardened lava, "Please Ifrit! I don't want to see anyone dying… nobody has to be killed or sacrificed, please help me…" silent still ensued.

Reno sighed and started to walk toward her to help her up, suddenly the lava burst upward forming a pillar then Ifrit was seen inside the pillar.

"Astraea Izunia!" the voice of Infernian was heard, she gazed at God of fire, "I have heard you call, I will grant you my flames! You will become my new champion!" he announced.

Astraea was speechless and just bowed her head down, "Thank you Infernian, I promise to use your flames for good of the people of Eos,"

"Every well, stand Astraea Izunia," she stood up and looked at Astral, Ifrit held his right hand and opened his claw-like fingers, a small crystal shard appeared, "Take what is left of my crystal and use it to save the people of Eos… from Diabolos… from the chaos…"

She nodded, "I promise dear Astral," she bowed down again and reached for the crystal, Ifrit handed it to her. It hovered in her hand, it was radiating heat and glowing faintly.

"Diabolos will now target you now Izunia, be careful," Ifrit warned before disappearing. Then the lava went towards her, engulfing her. She screamed as the hot liquid made contact.

"ASTRAEA!" Reno shouted and ran towards her, then a bright red light burst out from her body and went into the sky, parting and making a circle in the dark cloud above and when the light died down. Astraea is now standing firmly with Ifrit's crystal shard hovering in her right hand.

Reno stopped and stared at her as she looked back at him. He awed at the sight of her. Her black jet hair now the color of flames. Glowing brightly while embers fluttering from it. Her crimson eyes glowing bright red, like the lava around them. As the winds blew her hair swayed with it, sending embers flying away.

Reno then lowered himself on one knee, as the mark on his cheeks glowed deep red signaling that he was now a new master. He bowed down towards her, "I promise to serve you Astraea Izunia, Champion of Ifrit… the new warrior of Light and my new master,"

She smiled at her, "Thank you Reno…"

He stood up and gazed at her glowing eyes, "My pleasure….. Fire Maiden…."


A/N: I don't if my portrayal of Somnus and Ardyn is correct after all, we never get to know Somnus in the game. I just watched FFXV Episode Ardyn prologue and Episode Ardyn and I based their character on that. I just rewatched pokemon the 1st movie and when it got to the song Brother My Brother. Ardyn and Somnus came to my mind so I added it to the story.

THANK YOU! hope you enjoy this and have a wonderful day and keep safe!✩