A little Kingdom Hearts mythos for ya: there are two numbers that are of great significance in the Kingdom Hearts games...7 and 13. 13 won't be used much in this story (in fact there's only one realm this specific number is mentioned) but 7 WILL, so be prepared to see it used a LOT in the next few realms. It's part of the Kingdom Hearts mythos so I won't get into it or I'll spoil the games and I'm NOT doing that.

Disclaimer: The Kingdom Hearts Franchise, Dragonball and all its incarnations, and Final Fantasy XV, their characters, settings, etc, belong to their respective creators. All original characters, settings, etc., belong to ME!

Chapter 18: Fireside Chats

On the way to receive the blessings of the storm, revelations had been made. Hikari and her crew discovered Noctis was royalty on his way to recover his kingdom, while Hikari was doing something similar. The trial of lightning was an easy task, save for the long walks and the occasion spout with the Imperials. With now two blessings under his belt, Noctis was well on his way to reclaim what belongs to him. And thus what started out as a band of four brothers, now became a band of seven. All that was left was for the guys to retrieve their ride and quite possibly get a ride for Hikari and her guys.

Weary from all that has happened, the band of seven took their rest at a local haven. Hikari and her guys had been told to NEVER venture out at night because that was the time of deamons. She could hear the piercing screeches and howls some yards away from their campsite, the only light in a sea of blackness.

"It's freaky at first but after a while you tend to just drown out the sound." Prompto was the most normal of the king's retinue though he still kept his distance from the three, especially from Hikari.

"So you're from another realm, one that appears to be quite respected by the Six." Ignis was more of the father figure of the group and quite the cook.

"Guess so…" Hikari sighed while staring into the fire. On the opposite side Max and Gladio had gotten into a conversation, the two hitting it off instantly. Shin was left to his own devices, staring out into the blackness around them. Noctis was dead asleep in his chair, completely out of it.

"You...Don't sound too happy about that." Prompto picked up on her unease instantly.

"It's...Complicated." Hikari said. "My original home...I...Don't know anything about it...Max and I were basically...Thrown out of it before we could get hurt by something that was attacking our parents...We ended up in Shin's world, er home and...Well...It's the only home I've ever known…"

"I see…" Ignis sat in the chair next to her. "You are worried your journey will end differently than what you wish."

"Yeah...That's putting it lightly…" She huffed. "My original home is in trouble, so is the home I grew up in...I have to save both but…I know eventually, I'll have to choose which one to stay in…"

"A very hard choice for one so young to make." Ignis added. "You've quite a huge responsibility resting upon your shoulders."

"Yeah...Kinda like Noctis." Prompto nodded in agreement. "Noct's got a lot of things he's got to do, you know...Being royalty and all...I know he doesn't like it but deep down, he knows he's got to do it."

"The responsibility of royalty is heavy." Ignis said. "As Prompto stated, it is similar to your situation, Hikari. You have a responsibility to two places but, you know where that responsibility truly aligns."

"Yeah...I guess you're right." She gave a chuckle. "Actually...If you want to get technical, I guess I'm royalty too…"

"What? Really!?" Prompto gapped.

"Max said my mother's something called a Princess of Heart…It's...a big deal from my birth home apparently." Hikari said. "Though, I don't know why it's such a big thing in the first place. Still though, it has some kind of big meaning to it." She stared at Max on the other side of the flames. "Sometimes...I think that's the main reason why he's so protective over me…"

"That would explain Gentiana's reverence towards you and your companions." Ignis deduced. "And this key of yours…"

Now that all had been revealed, it seemed ridiculous to hide anything, which was why both Max and Hikari brandished their weapon and shield during combat. The Keyblade had proven quite useful to their group, swiping a vast array of enemies in one single swoop.

"Yeah! It's wicked awesome Hikari!" Prompto grinned. "I'm so glad I got a picture of it!"

"Hmm...I wonder…" The gears were turning in Ignis' mind. "You've stated before such a weapon is also here in our realm…Could it possibly be…?"

"What's gotten on your mind now, Iggy?" Gladio's voice boomed over the fire.

"I've a thought, if all would listen." Ignis sighed at his sleeping prince but allowed the male to continue to dream. "This...Key...That you and your companions are looking for, Hikari...It could very well be one of the artifacts we are looking for."

Prompto gasped. "You mean...It might be...in a tomb?"

"Tomb?" Max didn't like the sound of that one bit.

"It is very possible." Ignis nodded at his judgement then stared at Hikari. "The royal arms are artifacts from previous Lucian kings...If this...Keyblade is so important then it is very possible it is one of the royal arms. The question remains though...Where is it's burial chamber?"

"I've got another one…" Prompto joined in. "If it's one of the artifacts we need...then…"

"Exactly." Ignis added. "If this weapon is needed here in Lucis, then…"

Hikari connected the dots. "Then you can't let us have it, can you?"

"We have a responsibility to our realm, Hikari…" Ignis told her. "It may seem cruel but our world comes first in our eyes."

"Then I guess, we'd better hope it isn't one of those things you're looking for…" Max frowned. "Otherwise…"

"Yeah...Otherwise…" Prompto huffed dejectedly.

Ignis stared hard at Hikari.

"We might not be companions...but in fact...enemies."

Next Time: Reveal