Recalling of the Past: Reunion
"The reunion at hand may bring joy. It may bring fear. But let us embrace whatever it brings" - Final Fantasy VII Remake
Reno snorted, "Funny… Princess, Come on… take my h-" he stopped midway as his smile faded when he saw how Astraea flinched when he reached for her, "Astraea?"
The tears started forming in the corner of the princess's eyes, her body trembling for a bit. For a moment he believed her by knowing his master. Astraea had always liked making jokes because of this he did not believe her and shrugged his shoulders and smirked, "Nice try Astraea, come on…" he reached for her again.
"GO AWAY!" she shouted and smacked his hand.
"Ouch, that hurt!" he laughed while shaking his hand jokingly. Astraea just looked at him with a frightened expression, he sighed, "Okay enough of your shenanigans, your brothers need you, come on stand up...Your Highness" he grabbed her by the forearm and helped her up.
"I said GO AWAY!" Astraea pushed him hard enough that he felt on his butt.
He gazed at her, 'She is not kidding…' he thought, then he remembered what Astraea did two Millennia ago and how would it affect her. Etro had given him a warning that Princess might forget who she and her memory wiped away. He hissed it did come true, The princess has forgotten everything, her life, her brother, and her past. He slowly breathed in and out gently rose to his feet and bowed.
"My apologies," he rose and smiled, "Don't be frightened… I am here to help you, My name is Reno and I'm Messenger of Ifrit and your guardian,"
The princess's eyes softened, "My guardian?"
"Yup," he replied happily and stepped forward, she stepped back, 'This won't work… I need her to feel safe,' he thought, with a deep breath he burst into flames and when the flames died down he was in his phoenix form, he saw how his master eyes widened. "This is my real form, I'm a phoenix and you are my master," he slowly lowered his head to her. Astraea reluctantly held her hand towards his break and brushed it, "Reno..."
"Yes, that is my name," he whispered, "Your name is Astraea… Astraea Lucis Izunia, The princess of Lucis,"
The princess backed away, "Me a prin...cess.?!" she stammered.
He chuckled, "Yes...do you want me to tell you all about your life, Princess?"
She nodded, "Well then, come sit down," he lowered himself, he changed back to being human, "Come I won't bite," he patted and space in front of him.
Astraea gazed at him for a few minutes during that time his smile never faded. Finally, she went and sat in front of him, he sighed in relief, "Well then what do you want to know…Princess?"
"Everything about me…. About my past and who I am, can you tell me that, Reno?"
"Of course Princess…"
She frowned, "One more thing, can you stop calling me princess, I don't like it."
He laughed, "Nothing has changed, you are still the princess I know," he smiled, "But if you want that, I will follow your command, Astraea," he stopped and gazed at her crimson eyes. "Well then let us start our story... Fire Maiden,"
It took him 30 minutes to tell Astraea who she was. He just told her the important stuff like she is Ifrit's champion and one of the Warriors of Light. Their fight against the darkness and Diabolos, her homeland Solheim, her parents, and brothers. The reason why she lost her memory and why she is here.
Astraea slowly absorbed all the information and after he had finished his story they stayed silent until Astraea spoke, "So that means my new calling is to help this King Of light?"
"Yes... with your flames and his light you will be able to vanquish the darkness forever."
"How can I do it!? How can I recover my memories!? How can I save my brother and help the king of Light!? How can I defeat Diabolos!?" she asked rapidly without taking a break.
"Woah easy there, Astraea," he put two hands on her shoulder, her tease shoulder eases up, "Your body is recovering from your long stasis, let take it one step at a time shall we princess?"
She nodded and smiled, "Okay, Reno I'm at your capable hands, My guardian…"
Seeing her gentle smile he suddenly hugged her, she was suppressed at first but returned the hug "You're finally here... Astraea... oh, how I miss you,"
"It's good to be back... Reno," she whispered.
…
"Astraea did forget everything,"
"Yup and what you did didn't help her either," he turned towards Somnus and frowned, "Let me ask you again Somnus, why did you do that? Are you that weak that you did not have enough courage to face her?"
Somnus glared at his remark and the presence around them started to get serious. So King Regis went and interfered.
"What exactly happened after that Reno and why are you angry with the Somnus, what did he do,"
The guardian's expression eased up as he turned towards him, "The real question, Your Majesty, What he didn't do again," he crossed his arms.
"Just answered the King's question Reno, so that we can finish this already," Somnus said in a stern voice as he started to calm down.
"Fine... let's get this over with," he huffed, "Bahamut appeared to us after a while, and explained to us that there's is a way to restore Astraea's memory,"
"How? Can we do it right now?"
"As we said, Your Majesty, it is too early for Astraea to recover her memory and now only that the recovery process is complicated,"
"How complicated?" Cor asked.
"Well… we need the Oracle's help,"
"Lady Lunafreya why? What the Oracle's had to do with my daugh-" Aerith stopped midway, "I mean the princess,"
"It's okay Aerith… you still can call Astraea your daughter, after you raised her," Somnus reassured her after he turned towards the king, "Reno was told us, that Bahamut and other Astrals could give Astraea her memory back but they have to do that in the physical world and their physical body,"
"So that means we have to awaken them from their slumber?"
"Yup, that's the plan," Reno said.
Regis lowered his head, "That we will hard for Lady Lunafreya to accomplish, after all, she has been the Oracle for just three years and I know she to busy healing her people of the starscourge and not only that she is under the Niflheim custody,"
"Don't worry, Your Majesty…we will find a way to rescue the Oracle and Tenebrae, for now, we need to lay low for a bit for it's too early to act. We just need to wait for the proper time, after all, we waited for two thousand years, what a couple of years more of wait," Reno said, brushing his bangs away from his face.
"So what did you do...no... what did Astraea do?" Regis asked.
"She accepted it after she fully recovered and we went back… to our home… Insomnia, but instead of the warm welcome we were faced with a dilemma, and Somnus' action did not help either."
Before anyone could react the sphere started to show his memory again.
…
With a flash of red light, Reno and Astraea appeared on a back alley. Reno was wearing his black unbuttoned suit jacket and pants with an untucked white dress shirt. While Astraea is wearing her white healer's robe. (Final Fantasy XIV FF14 White Mage Outfit).
They walked parallel to each other as they walked towards the open street, "We are here, Astraea this is Insomnia, your home,"
He watched her eyes twinkled as Astraea saw the tall skyscrapers and the colorful billboards around them, "I thought Insomnia is a small kingdom Reno,"
He chuckled as he guild her to the storefront, "That was two millennial ago, Astraea, this is Insomnia now, The Caelum… your brother's descendant made it all possible,"
"So where is my brother, you said his spirit still lingers here,"
"He will be at the Citadel," he pointed to a building in the distance, "Come let us go to it, he will be happy to know your back," he gestured his hand forward while bowing, "After you... Your Highness,"
Astraea joking punched him in the shoulder, "I said stop with the royal stuff, Reno,"
"Sorry I can't help it," he chuckled as they walked parallel to each other. Reno acted as a tour guide, pointing and giving a small description of the building and places as they passed it. Astraea just nodded or smiled at him in return. As they approached the Citadel he noticed how anxious and scared she was so to help her ease up he asked, "Are you excited Astraea?" she just nodded and lowered her head and continued to walk. He stopped in front of her and made her bump into him.
"Oh sorry…"
"Are you okay?" he put his hands on her shoulder and gently started to rub it with his thumbs.
"Yes… I'm just scared…"
He sighed, "Don't worry everything will be okay. Trust me you two will finally see each other again. This is a happy occasion so please stop worrying and smile," he gently lifted her chin and smiled at her.
Astraea just gave him a gentle smile and gazed at the Citadel which is just two city blocks away.
"Alright then let us go," Reno grabbed her hand and continued to walk towards the Citadel as they reached the Citadel's gate. He noticed the small crowd gathering there, he saw that they were carrying flowers and some of them were crying and the flag of Insomnia was on a half mass above the gates.
The Fire Maiden noticed it as well, "Is there something wrong Reno?"
"Don't know," he said, his gaze went towards the Citadel and sensed something was not right. His eyes darted around and saw a park nearby, without warning he dragged the princess to it, "Can you wait here for a while, Astraea?"
He saw how scared she was but she reluctantly nodded, "Okay… I'll stay here," she took a seat on the park bench and hugged herself.
"I won't be long, Princess…" with that he returned towards the Citadel.
Reno went towards the crowd and asked one of them, "What is wrong? what happened,"
A female crown citizen turned to him, "Haven't you heard, Queen Aulea… our beloved queen is now gone," she sobbed.
"WHAT!" he bellowed, "WHEN? HOW!"
"Just a few hours ago….I heard she succumbed to her sickness, our poor King Regis, and Prince Noctis… they must be heartbroken," the woman wiped her tears away.
Reno clenched his jaw and his fists, 'For the love of the Astral! why now?!' he gazed at the citadel and gazed back at the women, "Thank you…" he bowed and went towards the side of the Citadel's wall. When he was now out of sight he teleported inside the Citadel. First, he went towards the throne room to find it empty, then towards the king's Chamber, just like the throne room is empty and devoid of life, 'This is not the reunion I expect, where are you your Majesty, are you alright?' his mind went racing as he continued to search for King Regis. He went towards the Prince chamber just to find it empty. He was about to leave but Carbuncle suddenly appeared.
"Cally? Where is the king right now, is he alright and the prince?"
She shook her head, "No… the king griefing, he took the prince out and he still no have returned,"
"So he is outside the Citadel?"
"Yes, but don't worry his shield is with him," Cally lowered her head, "So why are you here, Reno? Did you felt the Queen's passing,"
"NO… I'm here because Astraea is awake…"
"What the princess!" the guardian tail and ears perked up, "Where is she?"
"She at the park" Reno went towards the window and gazed down with his eyes he saw Astraea still sitting on the bench.
"Why did you leave her there Reno, is she okay?"
"Yes she is but..." his expression turned dark.
"What is wrong, Reno? she jumped in his shoulder.
"Its Astraea… she had forgotten everything, she was amnesia."
"What…" she murmured, "Is she alright? how is she taking it,"
"She fine she took it like a champ…but she just not as lively as before,"
"I'm very sorry...Reno and you were looking forward to this," Cally nuzzled her snout at Reno's cheek and wrapped her tail around his neck.
"It's fine Cally, look at the bright side, she back now," Reno forced a smile and Cally returned it. "So talking to King Regis is out of the question, huh…"
"Yes, King Regis is not himself today and it would be a bad idea to talk to him about Astraea,"
"Yeah… I know…" he let out a frustrating sigh, "I thought this day would be joyous. we going to celebrate her return by look like it had to wait,"
"Right, is not the right to for that, we need to wait until we send the Queen into the afterlife,"
"How did she pass away, Cally, did our Queen suffer?"
"No, she did not… she just did not wake up from her slumber. We were expecting it, after all, the birth of the prince took a toll in the Queen's health the doctors had warmed his Majesty, that she will not live long, and that came true, Her Majesty Queen Aulea is now gone," Caruncle horn glowed faintly as she let tears felt.
Reno saw it and brushed it away, "It will be alright Cally, you just need to continue to protect the prince in her stead now, I will help you," he patted her on the head.
Carbuncle purred, "Thank Reno...I will protect Princess as well, let us protect them, Reno,"
He nodded and they stayed silent for a while then he sighed deeply as he gazed at the sky, "His Majesty must be devastated,"
"Yes, he is… let us give him a time to grieve and recover from the pain,"
"Your right…let us give them time…. so where is Somnus then…The Founder King will be ecstatic to hear the good news,"
The fox guardian face dropped together with her ears, "He is at the Crystal chamber again…"
"Why?"
"You don't know what today is, Reno?"
Reno tilted his head as he tried to remember what day it was. Then it came to him like thunder, "You have to be kidding me!" He hissed, "It's today!"
"Yes…" Cally jumped towards the table in front of them, "And Somnus is at it again, he is watching his memory again,"
"Now I know why Astraea woke up…"
"It must be fate right?" Cally asked.
"Yeah… a terrible and unforgiven fate, Reno crossed his arms and frowned, "There are 365 days of the year, Astraea decided to wake up on this very day… fate must be playing with them," he slowly breathed in and out to ease his anger away.
...
"What is wrong? Reno if I'm correct you said that Astraea woke up on the day of her birthday right?
"Yes...but it's the very same day of the fall of Solheim and death of our parents," Somnus murmured.
The others fell into a deep silence.
"It's now Queen Aulea had joined them, I hope they are now at peace," Reno paused for a bit for he saw how Regis' reaction, The emerald eyes of the King's became sorrowful. Reno bit his lips in frustration, after all as a guardian he never likes to see his family like that, he slowly breathed in and out and said, "Your Majesty, I'm sorry if I brought up painful memories, I should not have done that," he bowed towards him, "And I did not have time to give my condolence back then. I knew it's too late but I offer you my sincere condolence for sorry for the loss, dear King"
Regis just nodded back, "I'm okay Reno, please don't mind me, I already moved on and accepted Aulea death, it's all in the past now. So please continue I want to know what happened to Astraea,"
The guardian nodded and sat up straight as others recollected themselves. The memory sphere started to glow again.
…
Reno was able to calm himself down and gaze at his fellow guardian, "Well then if the King is not available right now and can't welcome Astraea, Somnus might be, Where is he again?"
Carbuncle ears dropped, "like I said he is at the crystal chamber, watching his memory again,"
He let out an aggregating sigh, "How many times did he watch it this year? He does not want to let go of the past huh?"
Carbuncle jumped to his shoulder, "You can't blame The Founder King, he just truly missed them,"
"I know and but he should stop torturing himself, it's been two thousand years already," Carbuncle just lowered her head down. Reno patted her on the head and smile, "Come on let us go and tell him the great news then, and maybe just maybe we will see his smile after thousand years,"
Carbuncle nodded as Reno walked out the door. When they reached the crystal chamber door, Carbuncle jumped down, "Go ahead, Reno, I will just make a barrier so that we can talk in peace, His Majesty will be inside. Reno please be presentable," she looked at his appearance.
"Fine!" he scoffed and tucked his white dress shirt and buttoned his suit jacket and brushed his bangs upward, "Happy?" he gazed down at her.
"That's better…" Carbuncle nodded.
With winked Reno opened the door and stepped in. There he found Somnus in front of Bahamut Crystal, watching his memory yet again. Just like what his fellow guardian said. The Founder King is watching the fall of Solheim yet again, in his perspective(What happened in Prologue: Solheim & The War of the Astrals). Reno does not have a choice but to wait. When the memory was over he heard Somnus sighed deeply and whispered.
"In a time unknown, only a prophecy keeps hope alive in people's hearts. When darkness veils the world, the King of Light shall come."
He gave Somnus a minute to compose himself before walking towards him the raven-haired former monarch turned around to him, "Your Majesty," he greeted with a smile, "She's back…" he paused, "Astraea is awake…" he saw how Somus's sapphire eyes widened, "What are you waiting for? she is waiting, go to her Founder King…" he bowed down and looked up again, his smile wider than before, "Your long-awaited reunion finally came… The Fire Maiden... is waiting for you…Somnus..."
"Finally," Somus sighed, "The prophecy will soon come to pass, When darkness veils the world, The Flame, and the Light will be called once more. The bond that was forgotten will be fulfilled and the call of the Astrals shall be heard. So where is she? where is Astraea...Reno?" he asked, "Where is my sister..."
The guardian shifted his feet and scratched the back of his head, "Well about that...she outside the palace, but don't worry she is fine, she is at the park,"
Somnus glared for a moment then walked towards the window and looked down.
"If you want I could go get her and bright her here," he said as he turned around towards the door,
"Reno….stop! I don't want to see her,"
He stopped abruptly and looked back slowly, "What?!" both of their eyes met, "That is a good joke, Somnus," he laughed, "Stay here I will go get her," he turned around and started to walk away.
"I said stop Reno! I don't want to see her," he turned around to see Somnus's stern face.
"It's not funny anymore, Somnus, Astraea is now wa-"
Somnus cut him off, "Go and take her somewhere else,"
"What!" Reno bellowed, "Do you hear yourself Somnus!" he marched to him, "Why would you not go to her, she is waiting for you!"
"Now is not the right time for us to meet," the Founder King just averted his gaze.
Reno snapped and grabbed Somnus by the collar "What the HELL are you saying Somnus!" the monarch did not react or even flinch, his face just remained cold and stern, "You waited for two millennia for this," he hissed, "For what to back out and hideaway and why are you doing this explain yourself, Founder King!"
Their eyes met again, "I don't have to explain myself to you, Guardian," he said in an authoritative tone.
Reno anger went up before he could give a reply, Carbuncle appeared on Somnus shoulder, "Reno stop this! Let go of his Majesty,"
Reno hissed as he released the former king, "Why are you doing this Somnus are you still afraid of what will happen?" he asked his anger fading, "Astraea needs you right now, she needs her big brother,"
"As I said Reno, now it's not the right time for us to met, The Queen had just died, we need not add more problem for the current king,"
Reno's anger returned, "Are you just using the Queen's death as an excuse, are you that scared to see her,"
"Reno please calm down," Cally whispered as she jumped to his shoulder and wrapped her tail around his neck, seeing Reno calm down she turned to her former master, "But Your Majesty, Reno is right Astraea needs you right now, please can you just go to her?"
Somnus shook his head, "Sorry I can't...I can't face her, after all, I have done, after taking her life, I have no right to face her,"
"For the last time Somnus you did not take her life and you did not do anything wrong," Reno said a gentle tone, "So please go to her, she really needs you right now," Somnus averted his gaze yet again. Reno sighed and rolled his eyes at him, "Fine if you don't want to talk or see her, then we will go somewhere else where we are welcome!" he pushed Cally off his shoulder and stormed out the door.
Carbuncle ran after him, "Reno where are you going?"
"Away! away from here!" he hissed as he turned around to see Somnus just standing there without any emotion whatsoever.
"Come on Reno… please understand what his Somnus, is going through,"
"I did Cally," he growled at her fellow guardian who stopped in her tracks, "I fully understand him, I know he is scared but he should let go of the past, it's been two thousand years already! he was to move on!"
Carbuncle ears dropped at her gaze went back to his master then back to Reno, "I will go and talk to him, Reno…"
"Go ahead maybe you can go through his thick head of his, but for now I will follow his command and go somewhere else and take Astraea with me," he went towards the door upon reaching the door, he glanced back, "Somnus, I will say this again, Astraea will surely forgive you…and If you still worry about what happened in the past don't be… After all, Astraea has forgotten all of that. She has amnesia and even with that she just wants to see her brother…but the way you're acting right now is not acceptable, and you called yourself her big brother," Before Somnus could react he went out and slammed the door shut. He just took a deep breath, 'How can I explain this to Astraea' he thought, "Ahhhh!" he scratched his hair in frustration, "Okay, Reno you can do this, just smile and everything will be fine," he whispered to himself as he teleported out of the Citadel.
...
"Sorry about the way I acted back then Somnus," Reno lowered his head, "I known went overboard,"
"No, Reno, you don't have to apologize, it's my fault for I did not dare to face her back then. I was just really afraid to face her for I don't know what to do or say to her,"
"I knew you were terrified, but you should have to face your fear," Reno turned his gaze towards him, "But instead of running away again,"
"I knew what I did is wrong, Reno, I hope you can forgive me,"
Reno sighed, "We both were wrong, my anger got the best of me. So you don't have to apologize, let us just forgive and forget about everything that happened that day," both of them nodded at each other.
After making sure that everything is alright Regis cleared his throat to get all of their attention, "Forgive me for interrupting but It just occurred to me that I met Astraea, that day,"
"What! are you sure, Your Majesty?" Reno asked.
"Yes… I remembered it now," Regis smiled sadly, "I was lost and did not know what to do but after meeting her and talking to her, my sorrow and grief disappeared,"
"Can you please show it to us, Your Majesty?" Carbuncle asked.
"Yes, please do," Reno stood up and picked the sphere and handed it towards the King, "If that is okay with you?"
"Of course, I want to fully remember it as well," Regis inclined as he took the sphere and started to concentrate on it after he gave it back to Reno.
"Astraea never did say about meeting someone," the guardian said as he placed the sphere on the table and sat down near it as it started to glow and showed Regis's memory.
…
Regis was walking slowly as he held the young prince in his arms. He went towards his queen's favorite place in all of Insomnia, the lotus pond in the park next to the Citadel. He was walking towards the pond. He stopped when he heard someone singing in the distance. He went towards the source of it and found a woman singing in the middle of the arch wooden bride. As the women continued to sing he just stood there and listened to her song.
(Remind Me (Kingdom Hearts III Song) (original by Anna & Victor McKnight). (Just found this out while searching for Final fantasy songs and it's awesome and I want to share it with you and it's kinda perfect for the Astraea situation, The siblings made their promise while looking at the sea.)
As the King continued to listen he could feel her emotion he even noticed the tears in her eyes even if she had a cloak over her head. After finishing the song and wiping her tears away it took a minute for the women to notice him and she turned to him as she lowered her cloak. His eyes widened to see her crimson eyes.
'Wow…' Regis thought as he gazed at her eyes even more, yes he did meet other people who have red eyes but not as crimson as red as her. As he continued to gaze at her he could not stop feeling that he knew her but he couldn't remember when or where.
"Hello? are you okay?" she asked as she walked towards him, "Hey, Sir? Are you alright?" Astraea gently touched his forearm.
Regis snapped out of his thoughts, "Yes...I'm... fine," he stammered as he arranged the sleeping prince in his arms properly.
"Good, I was worried you were looking pale, are you sure you're okay?" she asked with a gentle smile.
"Yes, I'm okay, you need not worry about me, how about you? Sorry but I heard you singing, do you need help?"
"Thanks for the offer but I don't know if can help me," he raised an eyebrow at her, she noticed it and smiled sadly, "My problem is quite complicated,"
"How complicated, I might be able to help you?"
"Well… how could I explain it…" she looked at the sky, "I lost my memory,"
"Your memory?"
"Yup, I lose it during a fight and I lost my brothers too, we got separated,"
"If that is so, why are you here and all alone?" he asked as he gazed around the park which is now empty of people. After all, he ordered the crown guard to guard the park so that he could have time alone.
"A family friend is helping me and he said that one of my brothers is here. He asked me to wait for him here for he went to meet him," she whispered as she walked towards the bridge again he followed her.
"Do you need company while you wait?"
"That would be wonderful, It is quite lonely here," she nodded and looked down at the pond, "There are beautiful…"
Regis followed her gaze and saw she was looking at the white lotus flowers "Yes they are,"
They continued to stare at the flowers in silence and suddenly the women bellowed, "Oh! How rude of me," she turned towards him smiling, "My name is Astraea and you are?"
The King was surprised at first that she does not know him but knowing that she is a refugee he let it slide and introduce himself, "Regis and this is my son Noctis,"
"Oh… Hello there, little Noctis," she said as he brushed the prince's cheek gently. The prince stirred for a bit, "He is handsome Regis, you must be proud,"
"I am," Regis said as he cradled Noctis close to his body.
"So are you really okay Regis?"
"Why are you asking that?" he raised an eyebrow at her.
"Well looking at your face I can tell you're hurting and running from something, is something wrong?"
"For someone you have amnesia, have a very strong intuition," he said as he walked towards one of the park benches and sat down, she took a seat beside him, "I'm mourning for I lost my dear wife today," he gazed at his sleeping son.
"Oh… I'm very sorry to hear that Regis…please accept my deepest condolence"
"Thank you…" his emerald eyes glanced at her before she could reply Noctis suddenly woke up and started crying. Regis started to rock him gently to calm the prince down. He was doing his best but the prince kept crying for a minute now.
"May I Regis?" She asked as he held her arms up.
Regis was reluctant at first but gave Noctis to her. The Fire Maiden cradled the prince carefully and started to hum then later she started to sing. (Final Fantasy XIII - "Promise" - Serah's Theme | ENGLISH ver | AmaLee). After completing her song. Noctis feel fast asleep in her arms.
"Your song is lovely Astraea," Regis whispered as he saw his son sleeping peacefully in her arms, "You have an amazing voice too,"
"Oh...Thank you," she replied as he handed back the prince to the King, "May I give you some advice Regis?" He nodded as he cradled Noctis, "Just like the lyrics of my song, don't give up Regis, I know it is painful to lose someone you love, but remember Love will not leave you. Even your wife is now gone she did leave you a gift to remember her by,"
"A gift?" Regis asked in a puzzled look.
"Yup," she looked down and brushed the prince's raven hair, "Little Noct here. You wife might be gone but she will always be here in your heart and your son is the testament of you love for each other so treasure him and take care of him,"
Regis chuckled gently, "You are right, Thank you,"
"Your Welcome Regis," she smiled, "There is something else I want to tell you, first I need to remember it," she said as she closed her eyes to concentrate. As Astraea continued to ponder Regis saw his shield walking towards them. Before the shield could talk Regis held a hand to stop him and waved him to go away. Clarus nodded and walked away, "I remembered it now!" she bellowed and turned towards him, "This is our family motto, 'You need to have COURAGE to face everything head-on, and at times you are lost don't lose HOPE and always remember LOVE is the strongest weapon you have'."
"That is a very comforting motto Astraea thank you, I put that in mind. I know I promise to keep you company but I must go now Noctis might catch a cold. Can I leave you here or you want to go and stay with me for a bit until you find your brother," he stood up.
"No… I'm okay," she shook her head, "I can manage myself, you can go now... we don't want little Noct here to catch a cold," she stood up and smiled at him, "Nice meeting you Regis, I hope you get through this,"
"Same with you Astraea, I hope you recover your memory and reunite with your family,"
"I hope so and thank you for your company, I appreciate it," she paused as she gazed at him for a while and with a sweet and gentle smile she said, "Don't ever lose hope and don't stop believing in the future, Regis, everything will be fine," she bowed. Before he could return the bow she went running out the park.
Regis stood there watching her vanish insight. Second, later Clarus walked to his side.
"Who is that, Your Majesty?" Clarus asked.
"She a friend Clarus," Regis smiled, "Let us go now and returned to the Citadel,"
...
"Wow, even after she lost her memory her love for singing never changed," Reno chuckled, "But that was a surprise you had a family reunion without knowing it, Your Majesty,"
"Now I know why I felt that way because she was family. How could I forget the meeting?" Regis pondered.
"Maybe because you heartbroken Regis and can't blame you," Somnus murmured.
"I guess you're right…" the king let out a heartfelt sighed, " I must thank her in the future, because of her I was able to move on and accepted Aulea death and I must return the favor,"
"You are doing it right now Regis," Somnus uttered, "In protecting her and giving her a life she deserves so please continue that and gave her the love of family she lost,"
"I will Somnus," Regis gave him a quick bow, Somnus returned it with a smile.
"So what happened after that Reno?" Aerith asked, "Where did you take Astraea?"
"Well, I was planning to stay inside the Crown city, but Astraea made a request I can't turn down. But before that, she gave me a mini heart-attack," They all gave him an odd look, he saw this and sighed, "Just watch my memory…"
…
Reno appeared in behind a huge tree and walked towards where he left her to find her missing. His body went into a full panic as he ran out of the park and asked anybody in the street if they saw the Princess. It took him a half-hour to locate her. She was standing in front of a huge statue. He breathed a sigh of relief and walked beside her.
"You gave me a heart attack Astraea, why did you leave the park?"
"Oh...sorry… I was bored and I wanted to explore a bit. I was planning to go back but when I saw this statue, I felt something, a familiar feeling," she paused and glanced at the statue, "It's him right? It's Somnus… my brother,"
Reno looked at the statue, she was right. It was her brother in his Lucii form. "Yes, it's him, Astraea,"
"I knew it…" a faint smile appeared in her face but her eyes were showing a different emotion. Her crimson eyes were dulled and full of sorrow like she was doing her best not to cry.
"Astraea are you alright?" he rubbed her back gently.
She nodded and turned to him, "So did you meet Somnus?"
Reno's face dropped, "Sorry I did not," he lied as he averted his gaze, "Well, there was a problem in the Citadel, I could not talk to him,"
"What happened, did something go wrong, is my brother alright?"
"NO... he is alright, but the current King is not,"
"Did something happen to his Majesty?"
"He is safe… he just lost his wife today, Queen Aulea passed away in her sleep and King Regis is mourning right now,"
"Wait what? King Regis is that his name?" her eyes widened.
Yes, Regis Lucis Caelum is the name of his Majesty, why is something wrong?" he asked
"Oh…" he saw the realization in her eyes but before he could ask a question she continued, "So that means I can't talk to him right now? Is that what you haven't seen my brother because of this dilemma?"
Reno took a deep breath. He was thinking if he would tell her the truth or not, he picked the latter and lied again, "Yes, that's the reason why. The king is not on his best at the moment, but if you want we can still go talk to him,"
"No! Don't do that!" she waved her hands, "Let the King mourn for his wife, I can wait until everything is alright,"
"Are you sure Astraea?" she nodded, "Okay then… So where do you like to go then? Do you want to take a tour of the entire city?" he asked enthusiastically but Astraea did not reply and just kept gazing at Somnus's statue, "Astraea…?" he whispered and reached his hand.
"I want to go to Angelgard,"
His hand stopped in the air, "What? to Angelgard, sorry but it's too dangerous for us to go there, Astraea please pick somewhere else to go, We can go to Altissia you would like it there," he put his hand on her shoulder.
She gazed at him with pleading eyes, "Please I want to see it. I want to see where Ardyn was imprisoned. Take me to Angelgard Reno."
…
"I should have talked to her back then," Somnus said, Reno paused his memory and turned to him, "I should have faced my fear and faced her," Somnus expression softened, "But like before I took the easy way out and avoided my responsibility. My sister has been through a lot instead of helping her in her time of need, I chicken out and run away," Everyone could see and felt how sorrowful and regretfully he was, he noticed their eyes on him with a deep breath he straightened up, and gazed at the paused video of his sister's face, "Do you think she can forgive me? After all, I'm done?"
"Yes she will," Reno answered, "it's Astraea we are talking about, you know how forgiving she is and how many times do I need to repeat myself. You did what you have to do, so don't blame yourself for everything that has happened. It's time to move one, Your Majesty," he gave him a respectable bow.
The Founder King nodded, "Your right Reno… it's time to move one…"
"Finally!" he bellowed, "After two thousand years you finally gave in and forgive yourself," he smiled, "Don't worry Somnus everything we be fine now, Astraea is now back and safe and you can still make it up to her,"
"I hope I can Reno, I hope we can have a true reunion in the future,"
"Sure you will, Somnus!" Carbuncle chimed in, "You and Astraea and even Ardyn will meet again and will be family again and The reunion at hand may bring joy. It may bring fear. But let us embrace whatever it brings"
"And we will be here helping you to achieve that Somnus," Regis added.
"Thank you…Regis… Thank you all," he gazed at the others.
The others bowed their heads slightly when they met eyes with him. After a minute of silence, Cor asks a question.
"Did you take Astraea to the island Reno?"
The guardian titled his head towards him, "You know me, I will do everything for Astraea,"
"So really took Astraea in Angelgard. You know how dangerous it is right?" Cor asked as his brows furrowed.
The red-haired crossed his arms and clicked his tongue, "Yes… and I regretted that decision," his eyes narrowed at the sphere as it showed his memory, "For I almost lost her again that night," With Reno's words the expression of the others changed. Their eyes showed concern as they gaze at him not minding the stare he got from them he turned to Aerith and said, "Aerith you were asking a while ago why did you found Astraea as an infant," the hunter nodded, "We let me show you what happened and how my flames….the flames of Rebirth did that…"
A/N: I want to thank all my faithful readers, for reading this far and supporting my fanfic. I know my long chapter is quite hard to read so I decided to lessen them to 6k per chapter. Sorry if my story went on and kept expanding I did not expect my OC backstory/origin will be this long but still I'm very grateful you stick with it. All of you might be wondering when will the story catch up with the game, the answer to that is I don't have a clue. After all, I wanted to venture further into the story of their normal life inside the crown city and I want to add how Ignis and Astraea relationship will blossom. So it will be great if you still stick to my story and continue to support me for this story is for you. I know I promised that this chapter will be the last segment of the Recalling of the Past but because I shortened each chapter there will be another chapter and it's the last one I promise!
THANK YOU! I hope you enjoy this and have a wonderful day and keep safe!