A/N: Warning! Graphic depictions of violence and characters' death and suicidal thoughts and action and a lot of angst.
Solis Ortus is Latin for Sunrise
There will be two quotes of this chapter on it from an anime and the other one from an unknown author. I have problems looking for the source of it if you know please let me known so that I can credit it, "Leave the past, live the present, create the future," -unknown
Recalling of the Past: Solis Ortus
"Don't ever give up. Even if it's painful, even if it's agonizing, don't try to take the easy way out." - Zenitsu Agatsuma (Demon slayer)
As the memory of the Founder King continued the room temperature drop, as the fire in the fireplace started to die down. They all felt the same feeling they felt back in the council room where Diabolos first appeared to them. The fear for their lives, the feeling of dread. All can't help but shudder as they continue to watch the memory unfold.
…
Somnus gritted his teeth and tightened his hands around the hilt of his sword, "SHUT UP!" he hissed.
"Oh… did I strike a nerve?" Diabolos mocked as he titled his head to the side.
The Mystic lunged forward and attacked the Dark Astral. Diabolos just chuckled as he disappeared in a cloud of black smoke. Somnus lost his footing and stumbled for a bit lucky Gilgamesh was able to catch him and helped him up.
"Thank you…" Somnus said he rose to his feet and gazed around.
A low chuckled echo around them. Then Diabolos appeared behind them at the bottom of the stair. "Is this the strength of the Champion of Bahamut?" he smirked at them.
Somnus pointed his sword at him. Gilgamesh unsheathed his sword as well as he stood beside him.
"I want to thank you… dear warrior…" Diabolos said as he mockingly bowed to him. The founder king just hissed at him as he rose, "I've been trying to kill the princess for years now… it's been very difficult after all, both Bahamut and Ifrit's blessing kept me for getting close to her, but alas you are the one who did it!" Diabolos's piercing yellow eyes darted towards where Reno is at. The guardian is still cradling the body of the Fire Maiden protectively. "For that, I must thank you," Both Diabolos and Somnus' eyes met. The daemon smirked at him, "Finally the Eternal Flame of Ifrit is no more, and it's all because of you…" he changed his voice and used the Astraea's voice, "Sommy… my dearest brother..."
"SHUT UP!" Somnus shouted as he trembled with rage.
The Dark Messenger just chuckled and it echoed around them once again. As the purple flames got bigger and bigger casting ominous shadows around them. Suddenly Diabolos disappeared once again Somnus looked back to Reno.
"Get out of h-" before he could finish his sentence the room started to feel cold and dark. Time froze around them, the flames stopped burning and as the embers stopped in midair he could not move a muscle the only thing he could move is his eyes. It darted across the dark room looking for the Dark Astral. Then Diabolos appeared before Reno. The guardian snarled at him, as he crouched down, "Pour princess she only wanted to save her family," he reached for her face and gently brushed her cheek, "But she ended up dead, her brother fallen into the darkness, such a waste of life,"
"Don't touch her!" Reno barked trying to move.
The Dark Astral just smirked at him, "And what will you do? huh, guardian?" he gazed at his rage-filled eyes, "How does it feel to fail again? You fail to protect her back then and now you let her die… and you call yourself a guardian…"
Reno growled at him, his haired glowed bright red, his fingers started to turn into talon, it perched Astraea's skin,"
"Careful you don't want to hurt her anymore," Diabolos grinned at him after he started to walk towards the center of the room.
"I WILL GOING TO KILL YOU!" Reno Snapped, the effect of time control stopped and they were able to move again. Somnus and Gilgamesh encircled Diabolos while Reno handed Astraea's body to Aera and Rosa, Carbuncle appeared beside the Oracle.
"Protect them,"
Carbuncle nodded and summoned a barrier around them. The Phoenix then went to help the Warrior and the Shield.
Diabolos's eyes studied the three of them. The Founder King and the Shield, position themselves for an attack while Reno cracked his talons as his blue eyes sharpened at him. He saw how the Dark Astral just gave Reno a sadistic smile taunting him to attack. The guardian just continued to snarl at him, his body trembling with anger. He knows that Diabolos was just playing with them before he could speak. The Dark Astral just gave one last dark chuckled towards the guardian. Reno snapped and lunged at him with his sharp talons.
"Wait Reno!" He shouted.
The Dark Astral jumped back and avoided it. Reno's talons collided with the marble floor it cracked in his weight. The phoenix continued to attack him with his talons. Diabolos just avoided his attack with ease. He tried to do a roundhouse kick but the Dark Astral caught his feet. The Dark Astral chuckled as his hand burst into purple flame and went towards Reno's leg and up to his body. The guardian screamed as he was thrown into the air towards one of the pillars he collided and went through the pillar and crashed into the pool. The pillar went crashing down with the fire basket which caused the wood in the basket to spill around them. Purple flames started to encircle the round platform. Where Somnus, Gilgamesh, and Diabolos stood, staring at each other.
"You will pay this Diabolos, for all you have done..." The Founder King tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, "I will kill you!" he pointed it towards him.
Diabolos just laughed at him, "Kill me? Just like you kill your sister. Do you have the guts to do that?" he used Ardyn's voice, "Dear brother,"
"SHUT UP! I will fulfill my calling, I will kill and your darkness," He shouted and lunged at him, just like what happened to the guardian. The Dark Messenger was able to avoid every attack with ease. As the Mystic brought his sword down last time, sparks went flying as Diabolos was able to block it as he summoned Ardyn's sword.
"You're too slow..." The champion's eyes widened at the sight of it. It gave the daemon a chance to twirl his sword and disarmed the champion in an instant. The Mystic's sword went up into the air and felt towards the marble floor and slid across the room before it disappeared. The daemon suddenly grabbed onto his neck and raised him into the air he chuckled darkly, "Why did Bahamut choice a weakly like you to be his champion…" he mocked as he started to squeezed champion's windpipe
The Mystic started to thrash in his hand. Suddenly Diabolos hissed and he dropped him, for Gigalmesh was able to land a blow in his back. The Mystic was still on his knees gasping for air when he heard Gilgamesh scream he looked up to his horror he saw the Shield's left arm had been cut clean by Diabolos. The Dark Astral just threw the dismembered arm into the purple flames and stepped back to admire what he did. He went towards the shield as he felt down on his knees clutching his wound to stop the bleeding.
"Such weakling…" Diabolos said in a dark low voice as he looked down on them.
Through gritted teeth, the warrior summoned a spear and lunged forward. With a flick of a hand, Ardyn's sword burst into purple flames and changed into a scythe(Wing of Judgment X (MHGU)). Diabolos were able to slice the spear in half, the warrior stumbled back, Diabolos was about to land the finishing blow when Carbuncle suddenly jumped between the two and summoned a barrier. The blade of the scythe collided with the barrier and the force was too strong of the guardian to handle the barrier started to crack. The Dark Messenger withdrew his weapon and grinned at them. Gilgamesh had already passed out from blood loss, while he stood glaring at the Dark Astral. Carbuncle was trying her best to maintain the barrier, her ruby horn glowing brightly.
"Your barrier won't stop me, dear guardian," he smirked and attacked the barrier again. The cracks started to run down the entire barrier with a final blow of the scythe the barrier came crashing down. Blue glass particles ran down at Somnus and Carbuncle. He swung the scythe towards the warrior of light.
"Look out Somnus!" Carbuncle jumped towards her master's arm and summoned another barrier.
It was strong enough to block the blow but it sent them skidding back a few feet.
"Cally!" The Mystic yielded as he caught his fallen guardian, "Are you okay?"
Carbuncle weakly gazed at him, "Yes, I'm okay Somnus, are you?"
"Fine," he hissed as he summoned his sword and rose to his feet," "How can I defeat him?"
"The ring," Carbuncle said as jumped to his shoulder, "The ring of Lucii,"
"The ring?" he asked with his glaring eyes not leaving the Dark Astral.
"Yes, with the ring you will be able to harness the power of the Crystal,"
"Alright then, go and get it, Cally it is in my room,"
"Just be careful, Somnus…" with a flash of blue light the guardian disappeared.
"Are you sure you're going to kill me? Are you going to kill your brother," Diabolos asked.
"Shut up, you're not my brother! You're just using his body as a vessel,"
"Your right," he put a hand on his chest, "This body is not mine, is not a strong as my real body but still useful, but have you ever thought about how your brother, Ardyn, The Healer of the People," he spread his arms, "He is still here, he can feel everything, so if you kill me, you will kill him too…do you want your brother's blood in your hands too? "
His eyes widened in horror, "No it can be…" he whispered.
"Sure it can…" Diabolos chuckled, "I'm only a spirit and I just borrowing your brother's body, so go ahead kill me, drive that blade into my chest just like what you did towards the Fire Maiden, KILL ME!"
The warrior shook his head and lowered his blade down, "No… you're lying…"
"Lying?" he laughed, "Why would I lie to you Warrior of Light, if I'm correct, Bahamut is the one who lied to you. He said that you can save your sister but look now, it's your sister safe?" Diabolos said, his gaze went past him and went towards the princess, Astraea's face is now pale as she lay lifeless in the Oracle arm, "Is that what Draconian promised you? He lied to you warrior of Light… just forgot about your calling and join me,"
He snapped back at him, "Shut up!" he raised his sword towards him again, "I will never join you!"
"It's that so? I can give you anything you want," Diabolos took a step forward, "I can revive her, your beloved sister…" he stopped and looked at the Fire Maiden then gazed back at Champion's eyes, "I can revive all of them, your parents… your people. I can even recreate Solheim, I knew that is what you want, I saw the desire of your heart, A life of peace.." he held his right hand towards him, "I can give you that, I can even give this body back to your brother, your family can leave peaceful under my reign, together again…"
Somnus' grip in his sword loosened, as the Dark Messenger words started to affect him. He lowered his sword down.
"NO! DON'T GIVE UP!" Ardyn's voice boomed inside his head as time stopped around him. Ardyn's spirit appeared before him.
"Brother…"
"Don't listen to him, he is lying…"
"But Ardyn your body, I don't want to hurt you,"
"Just do it! It does not matter, fulfill your Calling Somnus, kill Diabolos!"
"But…"
"Do what I say, Somnus! That is my order, kill him!"
"But how? He is too strong,"
"Don't worry, I will try to be in control again and when that happened act fast, pierce my heart, that the only way to kill him,"
"I can't brother… I can't kill you,"
Ardyn sighed, "Yes you can this is your calling, Don't let Astraea's sacrifice be wasted, end this… Sommy,"
"Yes…brother please..." Astraea's spirit appeared on Ardyn's side.
"Astra… Astraea…" he stammered as he tried to walk to them but his sister held a hand to stop him, "I'm sorry...I'm so sorry…"
"Don't be!" she said she smiled at him, "Just finished what I started, kill that stupid bat for me… I know you can do this brother… I believe in you, don't worry my flames will help you."
"Astraea is right, we will give you a chance to strike, finish our fight once and for all, Somnus!"
Both sibling spirits started to fade, "Wait no don't go!" he shouted as he reached a hand towards them. Time resumed, Diabolos suddenly lunged at him, the champion of Bahamut did have time to block his attack luckily Reno burst out from the pool in his phoenix form and kicked Diabolos in the stomach. The Dark Astral went skidding back a few feet, his scythe falling from his hands, Reno went for another attack.
"You can't defeat me!" Diabolos shouted as Ardyn's body burst into purple flames, starscourge pouring out his body, huge bat-like winged brust out from behind his back. With a single flap on his wings, a huge purple wall of fire headed towards Reno.
Reno grunted as he shielded himself with his wing the flames passed him and headed towards Somnus. He dove down, he used his body to block the flame.
"AHHH!" he shouted at his body engulfed in purple flames.
…
In the present Reno started to feel the burning sensation, Somnus saw that he was about to pause his memory but guardian spoke, "No go ahead, this is nothing!" he said, his hands turning into a fist, "I can take it, just finished it already!"
The founder King nodded as his memory continued.
...
The Phoenix felt on his knees, half of his body is now burned, he gasped at the pain.
"Reno!" He went beside him, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, where is Cally, where is the ring?" he asked while gasping.
"I'm Here!" Carbuncle appeared before them, in her mouth the ring of the Lucci.
Before the Guardian could give the ring to him, Diabolos with his scythe in hand suddenly appeared before them and swung it towards Reno's chest, the phoenix was able to block it with his talons but it sent him towards one of the pillars yet again. Carbuncle summoned another barrier, The Dark Astral swung the scythe down at the barrier. Before it cracks again Carbuncle gave Somnus the ring. The Champion of Bahamut was able to wear it before the barrier exploded on the impact of the scythe. It sent both Master and guardian skidding feet a few.
"You're not going to win…"Diabolos said as he walked towards them, his massive wings trailed behind him, "Just accept your defeat and I will be merciful on you,"
"Never!" Somnus barked as he summoned his sword, the ring glowed in his finger.
Diablos just chuckled, "Very well then you choose death," he spread his wings and raised his right hand into the air. Starscrouge started to gather above him, forming a huge black ball as Ardyn's body started to mutate.
"No! You're not going to do that!" Carbuncle jumped towards him.
Diabolos just hit her with his right-wing. The guardian went towards the pillar where Reno collided a while ago. She fell on the ground beside Reno and lost consciousness.
"Cally!" Somnus shouted before he could move. Diabolos's massive bat-like wing pinned him on the ground his sword slid away from his hand and as the Dark Astral brought the scythe's blade onto his neck. "Do you have any last words, Champion of Bahamut, before I end your life?" The champion just glared at him, he chuckled, "Very well then... die!" he raised the scythe into the air.
"NO!"
Somnus closed his eyes shut as he felt the blade of the scythe missed his head by an inch. He opened his eyes to see Diabolos clutching his head in discomfort as he backed away.
"I won't let harm, my brother!" Ardyn's voice came out as he started to fight back and be in control again.
"Somnus are you alright?"Aera went towards the fallen warrior and helped him rise to his feet he nodded weakly. They heard Ardyn screaming in agony they turned their attention to him.
"Ardyn… my love…" Aera whispered as she walked towards him
"NO wait Aera, stop! it's not safe!" He tried to grab the Oracle's shoulder but he felt on his knees again.
He saw how Ardyn fought for control as his body mutated back in being a human.
"Ardyn… I'm here for you...my love… fight him…" Aera went and hugged the thrashing Healer, "I know you can do it, my Love…"
The Healer's hands dropped to his side as Aera deepened the hug, "Aera…" he whispered. He saw Ardyn's eyes return to being blue as he hugged the Oracle back.
The Founder King is about to rise when he saw a smirk appear on Ardyn's lip and his eyes turned yellow again.
Aera caressed his face, "Ardyn my lov-"
"NO!" The champion of Bahamut shouted as he saw Ardyn's sword pierced the Oracle in the chest.
The Oracle gasped as she slid down. She was able to sit on her knees, "Ardyn…" she grabbed his right hand which held the sword as it started to tremble, "Fight him… my love, I know you can… don't let your light fade…" with Aera's trembling voice, she was able to get through to Ardyn and the Healer was able to be in control again.
"Aera!" he crouched down and cradled her, "Why did you do that? Don't worry...I'm going to…"
The Oracle touched his cheek and with her last breath she looked up to his eyes, "I love you Ardyn…" Aera gasped one last time her hand felt from the Healer's face as she passed away.
"NO!" Ardyn screamed as he cried, his tears turning into black liquid "NO!" he shouted as he rose to his feet, he turned towards his brother who was shocked at what happened, "Kill me!" Somnus do it right now!"
The younger brother snapped from being shocked and pointed the sword towards him.
"Kill me now! Before he can be in control again," Ardyn shouted as the starscourge started to pour out his eyes and mouth again.
Somnus took a deep breath and lunged forwards before he could attack Ardyn. A ring of purple flames appeared around the Healer. The Mystic jumped back to avoid being burnt. Ardyn shouted again and clutched his head.
"Brother!" He shouted.
"AAHHHHH!" Ardyn shouted all his might at the purple flames engulfed him yet again.
The Founder King can't do anything but watch as the flame dies down. As the flames disappeared he saw Ardyn just standing there motionless.
"Brother…" he slowly walked toward him.
Ardyn suddenly summoned the scythe and attacked him. He was able to avoid it and pointed his sword at him again knowing that Diabolos took over again.
Diabolos started to chuckle as Ardyn's blue eyes turned yellow again, "Foolish women… to think she can still help a warrior of light who's now fallen into darkness," he smirked at the body of the Oracle at his feet, "Pathetic…" he kicked her body, The Mystic was able to catch it.
Diabolos just laughed as he saw Mystic slumped down on the floor with the Oracle's body, "See champion of Bahamut, you can't win against me…" he turned around to look at the Crystal, "Oh.. Draconian where are you?" he started to walk towards the throne, "Your champions are no more… your light is fading, why not come down and face me brother!" he summoned his scythe and leaped towards the crystal and about to attack it.
"NO!"Somnus shouted as he rose to his feet.
As the blade of the scythe collided with the crystal it deflected Diablos's attack with a blinding light and the Daemon was thrown down the stairs.
He growled as he rose to his feet.
Somnus gasped as he felt the ring start to burn as the crystal started to glow brightly.
"NO!" Diabolos hissed and went to attack him, suddenly the purple flames around them burst into crimson and azure. It blinded the Dark Astral and he stumbled back. He hissed as he shielded his eyes, suddenly the flames formed into chains and wrapped onto his arms and legs, stopping him from moving.
The champion of Bahamut was still gasping as he held his trembling hand as the ring absorbed the light of the Crystal of Bahamut.
He heard Diabolos howls, he looked at him, his eyes widened as he saw Astraea's spirit behind the Daemon. Astraea crimson eyes gazed at him,
"Astraea…"
"I'll hold him down, continue to absorb the light, brother!" she said as her chain became larger and thicker burning the Dark Astral.
He held his right hand with the ring of his finger as it absorbed the light around him. He gasped for its burning him from the inside and out it started to weight him down he felt onto his knee clutching his hand which held the ring of Lucii. Then time stopped around him then he felt someone held his arm. He slowly turned to see it and saw Ardyn spirit smiling at him.
"You can do it Sommy... I believe in you…" he helped his younger brother to his feet, "Here I give you my light," Ardyn held Somnus's hand with his own.
"Brother... I can't… do this…." he said as he started to cry.
Ardyn just sighed, touched his cheek, with his free hand, and wiped the tears away, "Sure you can…" he said softly as his last light went into the ring. He let go of his hand and stood back, "Just make sure to hit the mark," Ardyn smiled at him and pointed at his heart, "End this Somnus so we can be free."
He just nodded slowly as he felt the ring with its full power.
Ardyn chuckled, "That's it… give it, your all, brother!" his spirit faded and time resumed.
He saw Reno, Carbuncle, and Gilgamesh in their feet looking at him in astonishment as his body glowed blue. He nodded at them then he turned his attention towards Diabolos who is still thrashing and howling in pain.
"This ends now, Diabolos!" he summoned his sword, the light form ring went towards the weapon and it glowed brightly.
The Dark Messenger stopped moving and gazed at him and looked at his eyes. His yellow eyes don't show any emotion, not fear, nothing... he smirked at him.
He pointed his sword at him, "You darkness ends here!" Before Diabolos could speak, The Champion of Bahamut wrapped and pierced him in the heart. The blade went through his body, black blood dripping off the edge of his sword towards the marble floor. He howled in pain as the light engulfed his body.
"AHHHH!" Somnus shouted as he pushed the blade deeper, the light from his body went towards the sword and Diabolos. With his final scream Diabolos' spirit burst out from Ardyn. It stumbled back clutching his heart, "This is now over yet… champion of Bahamut,"
Diabolos spirit burst into pure light, black smoke went towards the opening of the dome, it scattered in the air before disappearing.
"Sommy…"
The Founder King took a deep breath as he heard the soft voice of his brother, he gazed at his eyes, to see his brother's brown eyes, the eyes they inherited from their mother.
Ardyn was smiling at him, he held his trembling hand and caressed his face, "You did it Sommy… you kill Diabolos…"
"Brother!" he sniffed as he drew his sword from Ardyn's body as he backed away, it felt from his hand and clanged onto the marble floor before disappearing, "I'm sorry…" he said as he gazed at him.
Ardyn shook his head at held his hand into his chest to stop it from bleeding, "No.. don't say that… you did it, you fulfill your calling," he smiled at him lovely, "Now it's time to fulfill our promise," He chuckled as he coughed blood.
"Brother…" He went to him as Ardyn felt on his knees, "There is still time, we can still heal you,"
The Healer just shook his head again and touched his face, Somnus's tears are now flowing, "I'm sorry we are going without…" he said softly, "Sommy can you do one thing for us… Me and Astraea…"
"Yes… what... is...it?" he stammered
Suddenly Astraea spirit appeared before them with Ardyn's last strength they shared a deep hug.
"Watch the sunrise for us…" Astraea and Ardyn both whispered into his ear. Before he could break the embrace Astraea spirit disappeared and Ardyn took his last breath.
He held his breath as he heard those last words, he slowly laid Ardyn down and rose to his feet and backed away from his brother's body. He gazed around the darkroom as the flames around them died down. The only light was the faint light coming from the crystal even with the dim light he saw the carnage. He looked around and saw the spot where the three of them made the promise that they will watch the sunrise together. His tears started to fall as he heard Astraea's song inside of the head, (Final Fantasy XIII - "Promise" - Serah's Theme | ENGLISH ver | AmaLee) As the song continued to play inside his head he gazed at the far end of the room where Rosa was still holding Astraea's body.
Let my wish come true,
Let darkness fade to light
Then he turned towards Reno, he was with Carbuncle and Gilgamesh and they were beside Aera's body. He then turned toward the crystal, after a few seconds of silence he saw a glimpse of it, the light coming from his right. He slowly turned towards it, towards the sea where the sun was rising for the first time in four years.
Will we live to greet the dawn?
As the sun's rays lit up the room around him, His body quivered as he saw it and Ardyn's face was serene and smiling in his last moment.
Love will not leave you
Hate will not heal you
Astraea's voice continues to echo inside his head.
Promise me one day...
that peace shall reign
He remembered how they laughed that day and his siblings' smiling faces. He gazed at his trembling hands as he remembered their last words to him.
"Watch the sunrise for us…"
He turned towards the sunrise and he tried to look at it but his tears won't stop falling, he couldn't take it anymore. He fell to his knees and screamed at the top of his lungs in agony, sorrow, pain, and anger. He put his trembling hands covered his eyes as he wailed uncontrollably, his cries could be heard all over the palace with that his memory faded.
…
Because of how strong the emotion of the memory was, a small crack appeared in the memory sphere. Nobody saw it because they were too distraught for what they saw. Regis was the most affected, he clutched his heart as he leaned down his cane fell from his hands. Clarus went to his side and helped the King and gave him back his cane. Aerith could not take it anymore, seeing the death of her adopted daughter, she leaned and buried her face in Dave's shoulder as she cried in silence. Dave comforted her while trying not to cry. The Marshall was affected but he was able to keep a straight face, but his hands were shaking so he turned them into a fist as he gazed at his King. Just like him, Clarus was not very affected, he was comforting King Regis who's had difficulty breathing. Clarus rubbed circles in the back of the monarch to help him calm down. After a few minutes, they were able to pull themselves together, Clarus gave a glass of water to Regis and The king thanked him for his help. Dave and Aerith did the same, they drank the water offered by Reno who was not showing any emotion. After making sure that the king was alright the Shield turned his attention towards the Founder King, who just sat there without any reaction whatsoever.
"Why are you like that?" Clarus asked, "Are you not affected?" Clarus raised his voice because of the mixed emotion and seeing his king's suffering, The shield can't stop himself from glaring at the warrior, "Are their death means nothing to you? Why can you show any emotion, Founder King?!"
Founder King slowly turned his gaze at him, his eyes dulled and empty, Carbuncle jumped towards the coffee table to give the founder King room to talk before he could speak Reno interjected.
"But of course, he will have no emotion left, after all, this is not the first time he watched his memory." All turned towards the guardian who now stood beside the Founder King's chair, his wounds now slowly healing. Somnus sapphire eyes glanced up to him, Reno saw this and sighed, "Oh… come on… do you think I did not know?"
"Knew what?" Regis asked while looking at Founder King.
"Well Somnus here…" he trailed off as he put a hand on the warrior' shoulder, "Has been watching his memory of the past two thousand years. Every time the anniversary of their death comes he will rewatch his memory not only of their death but Solheim's destruction as well." he looked down at the former king. Somnus averted his gaze and looked down at his feet. The Guardian continued, "He keeps torturing himself by watching their death over and over again. That is what our founder King has been doing for the past two thousand years, making his life miserable. That is the reason why he is not affected by this anymore…how could he? Watching your loved one die more than a thousand times can truly numb you from the pain, right, Your Majesty?"
Somnus just kept his head down and crossed his finger together, "I need to…" he paused, "I need to remember them, that the only I can do after all I have done,"
Reno huffed, "Oh please! Somnus, can you stop it already!" he went in front of him, "You need to stop blaming yourself for their deaths!" The founder King raised his gaze towards him, "You need to forgive yourself already!"
"But...I… killed them… they lost their life because of me…" he lowered his head again.
"You did not! Astraea gave her life for Eos...for you… her family, just like Ardyn. They fulfilled their calling and you fulfilled yours. It is the destiny of the Warriors of light. No one ever blames you for their death and you should not blame yourself please Somnus… it's time to move on…" Reno put his hands on the warrior's shoulder and squeezed it gently, "Please… stop torturing yourself, you don't deserve it. You did what you have to do… you followed your fate, your destiny…So please stop this already… Astraea and Ardyn will not be happy to see you like this, stop blaming yourself already," the guardian gave him a sincere look.
The founder King gazed up, opened his mouth then closed it and gazed at his feet again.
Carbuncle seeing the hesitation and doubt in the eyes of her former master she decided to enter the conversation, "Reno is right Somnus," her master gazed at her, "You're not the reason for their death you have nothing to repent. So please...master, move on…" she jumped to his lap and gazed up to meet his eyes.
"Cally…" the warrior patted her on the head, she nuzzled her snout on his hand, "I can't… not until I correct what I did wrong,"
"But you did nothing wrong," Regis said as he stood up and walked towards the founder King. Reno gave way to him and stood aside, "What I saw is that you gave it your all Somnus, even how painful it is you fulfilled your calling. If I stood where you stood back then, I might not be able to do what you did but even with a heavy heart you still fulfilled your calling and that very courageous of you… the title of Founder King and Mystic suits you. So please take your family advice and forgive yourself already," Regis patted him on the right shoulder, "Always remember we are here for you, let us share your burden,"
Somnus's sapphire eyes gazed at the King's emerald ones as they shared a few moments of silence. Then out of nowhere, the Mystic chuckled. All were surprised by the sudden action of the founder King. Carbuncle looked at Reno, the guardian just shrugged his shoulders and gazed at the still laughing warrior. Regis took a step back and glanced back at his people all of them have shared a confused look. Somnus finally stopped laughing and gazed at the founder King.
"You sounded like my Brother, Regis…" he paused to take a breath, "He always said those words to me, he inherited it from our father… The Izunia's have always had a positive view of life, even how dark the future may be… I should never forget about that…Looks like the legacy of the Izunia never did fade...Thank you, Regis," he nodded at his direction then he turned towards Crimson guardian, "Thank you Reno… for always being there for me, after all those years you never left me and remained by my side,"
"But of course…" Reno smiled, "We are family after all,"
Somnus smiled back and then turned his attention to his former guardian, "Cally..."
"Yes… master?" The fox guardian ears perked up.
"Thank you… for being my guardian," he gently scooped her and hugged gently.
Carbuncle just purred as she nuzzled her head towards her former master shoulder, "Your Welcome...Master, just what the King said, we are here for you,"
The warrior nodded and put her down and gazed at the other. They all nodded and bowed to him to show their respect.
"Sorry about my rude comment Founder King," Clarus said, not raising his head.
"You don't have to apologize, Clarus,"
"But still I went too far, Your Majesty… you have suffered for much and for me to act like that towards you is unforgiven… so please punish me, Your Majesty," he took a knee and lowered his head in front of founder King,
"Clarus…" Regis looked at his shield as he stepped back.
Somnus let out a resigned sigh, he stood up "Well then, Clarus Amicitia, for your punishment for disrespecting me for now on… you have to call me by my first name, No more your Majesty or founder King just Somnus… after all, I'm not you king, and just like Regis said," he paused and glanced at the King, "We are family," he held the hand towards the King's shield.
Clarus's eyes widened and raised his head and looked at the Founder King he saw his extended hand and his smiling face. With hesitation he took it and rose to his feet, "Reno is right, you're stubborn as the Princess… Yo-" Somnus's face frowned, he noticed it and paused and took a deep breath, "Somnus…"
"But of course, I am still an Izunia by birth and our family is the most stubborn of them all," he smiled.
"You said it," Clarus chuckled and glanced at Regis, "Now I know where His Majesty and His Highness get their stubbornness from."
"I second that…" Cor raised his hand, "I've been serving the King since my teenage years. I can testify how stubborn King Regis can be,"
Regis's eyes widened to hear the comments of his shield and the Marshall.
"Hey Clarus, remember how His Majesty crashed the Regalia after leaving the Crown city?" he turned towards the shield.
"How can I forget, we pushed the car for hours. He won't listen to us, not only that the King was a reckless driver back then. I did not say anything back then but I feared for my life when His Majesty on the wheel " The Shield chuckled followed by the Marshal.
"Can you call yourself my royal retinue," Regis scoffed at them.
Regis, Cor, and Clarus gazed at each other then burst out laughing. Somnus and the two guardians joined them eventually. While the two hunters just sat with their shock expression.
"Well I never thought I would see the king laugh like that," Dave whispered to Aerith.
The hunter just nodded, "Your right…it very weird seeing them like this,"
Both siblings looked at each other. After all of those years of being Hunter and helping King Regis to eliminate the daemon at night. They never did see the King laugh or even smile. The King and his people are always so serious and seeing them like this, is a nice change of phase. So they decided to join in and laughed.
After pulling themselves altogether, Clarus went and helped Regis to his seat again. While The Mystic just stood beside Reno.
"So…" Reno eyed the founder King, "Are you still going to torture yourself Somnus or you're going to move and forgive yourself already?"
The warrior gazed at him and smiled sadly, "I can't promise you that, Reno after all it's hard for me," he took a seat, "They are my everything Reno. How about you? How did you move on just like that? Astraea is very special to you, she treated you like a brother. How did you move on after her death like that,"
"I did not…" Reno took a deep breath and sat down on the floor and crossed his legs and arms, "Just like you, I mourned for them and I blamed myself for years. But blaming myself and mourning for them year after year won't bring them back, so I decided to move on, it was Astraea last wish after all,"
"Reno is right Somnus," Cally said, "We need to move on if Astraea were here she will say to us to Leave the past, live the present, create the future,"
"Your right… I need to forget about the past… and look forward to the future," Somnus nodded, "Now then let us now face the future and help the Warriors of Light and Champions of The Astrals to defeat Diabolos."
"That's right! We need to be positive we will defeat Diabolos this time for good!" Reno bellowed.
The three nodded at each other. A few moments later Aerith asked a question.
"So that means… Diabolos survived back then? How and why?"
Somnus hopeful eyes changed into distraught as the cheerful presence around them disappeared. Aerith noticed how suddenly his expression changed, she quickly apologizes to him, "I'm sorry, I did not mean to ask,"
"No it's okay, but before I answered your question let me first tell you what happened after the death of my siblings." A long silence ensued, with a deep sigh Somnus continued, "After the death of my beloved Siblings, Reno did tell me all about what Astraea said to him, about the future she saw and why she sacrificed herself and Reno revealed to everyone about the pact we made with Bahamut. Ardyn and I and the reason why I acted like that night. With that people forgive all my wrongdoing after all the whispers inside of me are the ones who made me do all of it or maybe they felt sorry for me… so after two days, they decided to crown me as their king, Somnus Lucis Caelum, The Founder King of Lucis... but I should not have the titled after all Ardyn was the Chosen King, not me, I just replace him as Founder King of Lucis."
All felt silence as the sphere started to glow and showed another memory of the Founder King.
…
There were inside the throne room he was sitting at the throne while the people around them shouted his name.
"Hail The King!" shouted one of the soldiers, "Hail Somnus Lucis Caelum, the King of Lucis!"
The people followed and shouted his name.
Somnus tried to block all the sound as he gazed at the center of the room. He saw a flashback of him, dealing the finishing blow to Diabolos. Astraea last words to him. He shook his head to erase those horrible memories.
"Your Majesty…"
He could hear someone call his name but he was too deep in his memory that he decided to block it. The memory of that horrible night continued to plague him. His body started to shake, he turned his hands into a fist which he laid in the armrest of the throne.
"Somnus..." A hand on his shoulder made him wake up from his nightmare.
He looked to his side to find the Blade master, Gilgamesh. He was in full armor, with one arm missing. Even with his mask, he could see the concern in Gilgamesh's eyes, "Are you alright? Your Majesty,"
Somnus nodded weakly and gazed at the people in front of him, they stopped cheering and were looking at him in a worried expression.
With a deep sigh, the King rose to his feet and addressed his people.
"People Of Lucis is an honor to serve you as King… but don't forget the people who made it possible for us to be here. The people who sacrificed their lives for us to see the sun again," he turned towards the blue clear sky he gulped trying not to cry, "It's them that we need to honor, The people of Solheim, our people, our love ones... don't forget about them and don't forget about the others who fought with us in defeating the darkness. This victory doesn't belong to us but it belongs to the whole world. It belongs to the people of Eos."
The people cheered and clapped.
"For that let us honor their names, hail Lady Aera Mirus Fleuret the, The Oracle!"
The people followed.
"Hail! Princess Astraea Lucis Izunia, The Fire Maiden!"
The people cheered the Princess's name with tears in their eyes.
Somnus saw that the people started to cry. He straightened up and with a deep breath he shouted, "Hail Ardyn Lucis Caelum, The Healer of the People… The True King of Lucis!"
The people roared and cheered. He closed his eyes slowly and he opened it again and looked down at the bottom of the stair, his eyes widened as he saw their spirit. Aera, Ardyn, and Astraea were smiling at him.
"Hail our King, Somnus Lucis Caelum..." They all said in unison as they bowed their heads at him.
He started to go down but Ardyn held a hand towards him and smiled, "Go live your life Somnus…"
"Take care of our people, Sommy…" Astraea said while smiling.
"Do take care, your Majesty…" Aera added.
The King nodded and as a single tear trailed down on his face.
The three smiled one last time as their spirit faded.
With that his memory stopped, the sphere turned off and on again to show another memory.
...
The people are all gone, Somnus is standing where they made their promise years ago. He gazed at the horizon, the blue sea was calm and the water was glistening under the sun's rays. He felt someone stood beside him and saw the captain.
"I hope I did the right thing, Gilgamesh," he said a low voice, his gaze not leaving the sea before him.
"I'm sure they are proud of you, Your Majesty…" the captain went to his side and put a hand on his shoulder, "You finished their fight and brought them peace. Your parents… your people and your siblings will be proud of you… just like before, I will offer my service to you, Somnus Lucis Caelum… just like what I did to your father I will be your shield if you're willing to take me…" Gilgamesh took a knee and held his head down.
He turned to him and smiled bitterly, "It will be an honor to have you as my shield, Gilgamesh,"
The shield smiled back and rose to his feet, "It's an honor to serve you as while, Your Majesty,"
The king nodded and turned his attention back to the sea, "Is the funeral rite ready?"
"Yes, The Princess and Lord's body are ready for the pyre,"
"And the Oracle's?"
"They ask if they can bury her body in their homeland,"
"Okay, gave them what they need and let our soldiers company them back into their homeland, that the only thing we can do,"
Gilgamesh nodded, "Okay, I will see to it. Where do you want the funeral pyre to take place?"
The king turned to him, "Solheim…"
"The disk?"
"Yes… I want to send them into the afterlife in our homeland,"
The shield bowed, "As you wish, Your Majesty, I will prepare the arrangements,"
"Thank you, Gilgamesh… so, where are they? I want to see them,"
"They are a temple of Bahamut,"
"Okay then let us go and see them,"
Both of them went to the temple of Bahamut. Gilgamesh opened the door for the King. Somnus stepped in to find Reno wearing an all-white tunic and pants, sitting beside Astraea body.
"Reno…"
The crimson guardian stood and bowed to him, "Your Majesty…"
"Please don't do that… you don't have to bow to me and why are you here?" he walked towards him and looked at Astraea's body covered in white cloth.
"Well, Astraea did order me to serve you so I will be your second guardian for now on, Your Majesty,"
"Astraea did that?" he asked as he raised the cloth and looked at his sister's face. The princess's face was serene like she was just sleeping, he gently brushed her cheeks, "Even if death she still worry about me, I hope she finds peace,"
"She already found it, she with your parents now, I know she happy, and Lord Ardyn as well, he is with Aera now and living peacefully in the afterlife,"
"I hope you're right Reno…" He said as he covered Astraea again. Then he went towards his brother. Just like Astraea, Ardyn's face was peaceful and while wearing his healer robe.
'Guide me, brother…' He thought as he covered Ardyn with the cloth.
Suddenly they heard the bell ring, signaling an important person had arrived. He looked at Shield and the Guardian, just like him they are bewildered who's the person is. A soldier went in and greeted him with a bow.
"Your Majesty, Lady Ashelia had arrived and she is waiting for you in the throne room,"
He gulped hearing that, but he was able to compose himself and walked towards the door and went to the throne room.
"Stay here, I want to talk to Lady Ashelia alone," he said to Gilgamesh.
The shield bowed and guarded the door behind him.
With a deep breath, he opened the door to find Ashelia standing at the foot of the stair and looking at Bahamut Crystals.
"Lady Ashelia what are you doing where? Are you here for the Oracle's body?"
Ashelia turned to him, she was wearing the same dress as the former Oracle, her distant cousin, "Your Majesty…" she bowed, "I am here for you, My king…"
"For me?" he raised an eyebrow as he stopped in front of her.
"Yes…" she lowered her head, "Bahamut had appeared to me and gave me his blessing to be your Oracle,"
"My Oracle?"
She nodded and gently caressed his face with her right hand, "Yes, just like what Lady Aera had served Lord Ardyn. I will be here to serve you, Your Majesty, so please let me share your burden and pain, My King," she smiled bitterly at him.
"Thank you Ashelia but please don't call me that...just call me by my name, please… Ashe…." he hugged her.
Ashelia was shocked at first but she returned the hugged and gently brushed him in the back, "As you wish… Somnus…"
The king could not hide it anymore and he cried silently into her shoulder. The new Oracle just continued to rub circles in king's back as she comforted him.
After a few minutes of silence between them, Ashelia spoke in a sad tone, "I'm sorry for your lose, Somnus and I know you still in pain but I bear grave news from the Draconian,"
He broke the embrace and looked at her in bewilderment before he could ask, an alarm bell was sounded.
Gilgamesh burst through the door, "Your Majesty! Lord Ardyn, he is alive!"
The King's eyes widened to hear that, without thinking and even with Ashelia's protest he went running towards the temple to see it for himself. He arrived at the temple and saw that Ardyn is alive. The healer was sitting in silence, his gaze focused on the ground.
"Brother…" he cried as he walked towards him, "You're alive!" But Before he could reach him, Reno went in front of him and stopped him. He could see Reno's fingers turned into talons, his blue eyes glaring at his brother, "Reno, what is wrong?"
"It's, not him…" the guardian hissed as he cracked his talons ready to attack.
"What are you saying it's Ardyn, so stand aside!"
He passed the Crimson guardian and went to his brother's side, "Wait Somnus!" Reno called his name.
"Brother…"
He tried to reach for the healer, suddenly Ardyn stood up and summoned his sword and swung it at him. He was caught off guard and had no time to evade lucky Carbuncle appeared and summoned a barrier around him. He fell on his butt and gazed at his brother. Ardyn pupils were black his iris bright yellow, starscourge pouring out his eyes and mouth.
The Healer was screaming, "I'm going to kill you SOMNUS!" Ardyn raised his sword again, but Reno and Gilgamesh tackled him and pinned him on the ground. His brother was still screaming when Lady Ashelia started to chant. Suddenly chains appeared out of nowhere and wrapped around Ardyn's body. It started to glow brightly Ardyn hissed and screamed as it was burning him. The chain started to show cracks within seconds; it broke as the starscourge brust from Ardyn's body. Reno and Gilgamesh were thrown a few feet. With a howled Ardyn went to attack Somnus again. The King was on his feet again and without thinking he summoned his sword he avoided Ardyn's attack and pierced the Healer in the heart again. Ardyn's body fell beside him. With that, his memory faded.
…
The whole room gasped in what they saw. Somnus just lowered his gaze again. Reno hissed and crossed his arm. Carbuncle tucked herself in her fur and sat silently at the founder King's lap. The room fell into a deep silence once again, all of them were looking at each, waiting for anyone to ask the question. Clarus saw that nobody was willing to speak and so cleared his throat and asked.
"What happened?" he glanced at the founder King. Somnus remained silent, then he turned to Reno just like the Warrior the Guardian remained silent.
"I will answer your question, Sir Clarus," Carbuncle spoke up and jumped towards the coffee table. She glanced at his former master before speaking.
With a deep breath, the guardian explained to them about what the new Oracle had said to them back then. Lady Ashelia had explained to them that Somnus was not able to kill Diabolos completely for a piece of him still lingered inside Ardyn's. Making the Healer immortal and that they need to wait for the King of Light to be born into the line of Lucis. That Ardyn is still under Diabolos' control and he still has daemons inside of him.
"Wait so that means Diabolos surv-"
"Yes" Somnus did not let Aerith finish her sentence and interrupted her, "Your right Aerith, Diabolos did survive, for I failed…" he gazed at his hands, "For my light was not strong enough to kill him,"
"No…" Reno interjected, "You're at it again, Sommy," He gave him a disappointing look, "Your light was strong but Diabolos darkness is just stronger, after all, he was hiding in the shadow while you three kept fighting. Not only that... did you remember what Lady Ashe... I mean her majesty, said that Bahamut himself also said that his light is weak and Crystal of Light back then was still recovering and can't truly give you its true strength."
"You're saying?" The founder King asked him.
"I'm saying that you were not destined to kill Diabolos back then, your destiny was to just weaken him and seal him away. But you did destroy the starscourge and returned the light on Eos."
"Have you forgotten Reno, I didn't do it by myself, if I remembered it correctly Astraea is the one who eliminated the scourge. It was her flames that destroyed the darkness, not me or my light..."
The crimson Guardian sighed, "Yes, Astraea did it, but have you forgotten it already you finished her task. You save your brother and gave them both peace,"
"Is that what you called saving Reno? Ardyn is still under Diabolos's control and Astraea death is for nothing,"
"For nothing!" Reno bellowed and stood up and grabbed Somnus in the collar, "I said stop leaving in the past already Founder King!" he shouted at him.
"Reno!" Carbuncle shouted, "Stop this! Somnus has already suffered enough!"
Reno's eyes soften remembering what the founder king almost did and released his hold while the sphere started to show his memory.
…
That night Reno went to the King's chamber to see how he was doing. His eyes widened to see Somnus sitting on his bed holding Astraea's ruby dagger above his heart.
"Somnus!" he went and ran to his side and yanked the dagger away from his hand, "What are you doing!"
"Give me that Reno!" Somnus stood up, "I failed them! I don't have the right to live to let me die!"
Hearing the warrior's words anger took control and Reno punched him in the jaw. The King stumbled on the bed and looked at him.
Reno hissed at him, "You want to die sure here to ahead kill yourself!" he threw the dagger on the bed, "Just prepare yourself to see Astraea and tell her how you failed her, how you abandoned Ardyn and our people and choose the easy way out. You want to see her right? so go ahead kill yourself already! Just prepared to see her face full of disappointment! Founder King,"
Somnus sat up and grabbed the dagger. He hovered the crimson blade onto his heart again.
Carbuncle suddenly appeared beside him and tried to stop him, "Don't stop him, Cally," Reno barked at his fellow guardian, "Let him have his way, just don't blame us if Astraea will get mad at you after you meet in the afterlife. All their sacrifice will be wasted because you Somnus, that you choose to stop fighting and fully surrender yourself into darkness so go ahead kill yourself already!"
The fox Guardian just stared at his master as Somnus' hands started to shake. With a shaking hand he tried to push the dagger but he couldn't do it, he broke down and fell on his knees, the dagger fell out from his hand.
Carbuncle took a sigh of relief and gazed at her master in silence as the Champion of Bahamut continued to cry in agony and grief.
"I don't know what to do anymore Reno… Cally...I lost everything, I can't do this without them…" he gazed at his trembling hands, "I thought I could move on knowing that I brought them peace but I was wrong I failed them, Diabolos is still alive, Ardyn is under his control and Astraea death was for nothing…"
Reno wanted to scream at him, but he remembered Astarea's last wish to help him and be at his side, he sighed deeply letting his anger fade out, "Astraea death is not for nothing, Somnus and you knew that…'' The king gazed at him, his eyes were swollen from crying too much, "You need to continue in living, you need to continue to fight for them, for brother's sake,"
Reno is right Somnus, Don't ever give up. Even if it's painful, even if it's agonizing, don't try to take the easy way out," the fox guardian jumped into his shoulder and nuzzled her head in the cheek of her master. "We are here for you," she whispered.
Reno helped him to his feet and put two reassuring hands into his shoulder, "Cally is right, We will help you go through with this Somnus… you must survive, for your bloodline will be the key to defeat Dark Astral. So please stand strong and continue you on the path to recovery."
"How…?" Somnus's voice broke, "How can I move on?"
Reno withdrew his hands and picked up Astraea's dagger, "First we need to send Astraea into the afterlife, then will we think of a way to help Lord Ardyn," he handed the dagger to him. "Can you do that Somnus? Can you send Astraea to rest?"
The founder King nodded weakly, "Your right… let us send Astraea into the afterlife first," he grabbed the dagger, "After that, we will find a way to help Ardyn."
Reno nodded, "Good, that the right way, You're the king now Somnus you should never show weakness,"
The warrior just nodded at him. With that, Reno's memory faded.
…
"Sorry about that…all I said and done..." Reno said as he took a step back away from the founder King.
"Don't be," Somnus arranged his collar and looked at Reno sincerely, "Your words help me Reno, if you did go there that night, I might have killed myself and put Eos in danger. So please don't apologize, I'm the one who should ask for an apology. I was about to waste Astraea's sacrifice, but you stop me and help me to move forward for that Reno, I thank you… Thank you for being there for me and serving Astraea until the very end," He lowered his head towards the guardian.
Reno was shocked at first and could not talk and a few seconds later he was able to regain composure, "No, do not thank me Somnus, after all, I'm doing my job as a guardian and that what family does, we help each other and always be there for one another," they both smiled sincerely at each other.
After making sure that everything is fine between the two. Regis with a heavy heart asked a question, "So what happened to Lord Ardyn? Did you able to send Astraea to the afterlife?"
Somnus turned to him, "Yes… the next morning we were able to send her to the afterlife. It's our tradition back in Solheim to send our dead using a pyre funeral. We did that on the island of Angelgard,"
"Why there?" Regis asked again.
"For Ardyn was imprisoned there. My brother was still able to take control over his body but the daemon inside of him kept on taking over. He tried to kill me again so we have no choice but to imprison him there. With the help of the new Oracle, we were able to seal him. Even with the daemon inside of him, Ardyn is still able to think properly and he requested to witness Astraea funeral as well so I granted that request. That the reason why we conducted the funeral rite on the island.
The sphere started to glow again and showed his memory.
...
Somnus was standing in front of the pyre torch in hand in front of the stone prison. The people around him encircle the pyre kneeling with one knee heads bow down. He took off the cloth revealing Astraea body. He looks at her sister with sorrow and sadness. She looks peaceful like she is just sleeping. Her hair returned to being black and laid flat at each shoulder. Her body fits perfectly in the long red dress she wore during his last birthday. Her rapier and dagger laid across the length of her body holding it with both hands. The winged necklace is placed perfectly around her neck and blue ring in her finger and her tiara on her forehead. Somnus took a deep breath and touched her face using his free hand and murmured.
"I'm sorry that it has come to this Astraea, I hope in time we see each other again," he shed a tear it fell on the necklace and it shimmered against the light rising sun, "Be at peace my sister" he backed up and raised the torch.
"Be a peace Astraea Lucis Izunia, our Princess… our Fire Maiden!" he declared and thrown that torch into the pyre setting it on fire. The pyre burst into a large inferno, obstructing Somnus' sight of her body.
With that, his memory faded and the sphere turned off completely
A/N: What do you think about my thoughts about the founding of Lucis? How did Ardyn become the fable Adagium and the dark history of the founding of the kingdom of Lucis? I never thought my story would come this far and the story is now going in a direction I did not intend. But still, I hope you still enjoyed reading it.
I felt sorry for Somnus for putting him through all of that suffering, I hope he can forgive me… the next chapter will be the last segment of the Recalling of the past and how Astraea returned to the land of the living.
I don't know if my writing is alright and understandable. Don't have any comments about it so please can you give your comment or review but please be kind:) this is my first fanfic after all.
I am now having problems looking for quotes. I want to ask help from my lovely and faithful readers if you can give me quotes from your favorite Anime, Games, Books, or T.V Show quotes. That I can be put in my story, I will greatly appreciate it.
There will be future songs from Final Fantasy that I will put for the next chapters. Final Fantasy X-2 - 1000 Words, Final Fantasy VII Remake - Hollow, Final Fantasy XII OST- Kiss me Good-Bye(Angela Aki) and maybe Final Fantasy Xlll My Hands. (Leona Lewis). I love all Final Fantasy OST. You can feel the emotions of the games and appreciate them more. You can request songs too just give me the title or link so that I can listen to and put in the future chapters.
Lastly, this chapter has a song dedicated to it for the fate/destiny of the siblings they can't escape and that is The Edge of Dawn by AmaLee. I will say it again AmaLee is a great singer and loved her song-covers!
THANK YOU! I hope you enjoy this and have a wonderful day and keep safe!