Your past can be your teacher or your enemy. Which one is it? I wonder…

She opened the glove compartment to put away the book she was reading. While trying to close the glove compartment, something caught her eye. She pulled out what looked like a cutout from a newspaper. The title read: '36 questions to fa.' The rest of the title was ripped off, but the actual list of questions was intact.

"This is interesting. It's a list of questions to ask a stranger." She thought it would be fun to ask Leon and a good way to pass time. "I will ask you a question and you have to answer it immediately without thinking too much," she instructed.

"Is it one of those annoying surveys which tell you which animal you are?" he asked skeptically.

"I don't know. I haven't read all the details yet. I just skimmed through a few of these questions and they seemed interesting. Set one has 12 questions. Ready?"

"Would you not ask me these questions if I say no?" he asked.

"Nope, I would ask you regardless," she added with a laugh.

"Then why did you even ask for permission to ask?" he remarked with a facepalm.

"To be polite, I guess?" she said with a shrug. She cleared her throat and stated, "Question one. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?"

"You," he replied instantly.

"Aw, thanks," she said with a warm smile.

"That is mainly because I don't know many people here," he added, killing any trace of romance from the earlier answer.

"And here I thought I was special. Turns out I was picked only because there is no better option," she faked a frown.

"I am just kidding. I picked you because I enjoy being with you. There is nobody in this world whom I'd rather have than you," he avowed.

"Liar, that's not what you said earlier," she accused, narrowing her eyes like she usually does when she is mad at him.

"Sorry, I was just joking," he responded with a half-smile.

"Since when does Leon joke?" she asked, glaring at him.

"Since he started hanging out with you," he said pointing at her.

"I don't believe you, but I'll let this one slide," she responded, pointing back at him. "Question two"

"Now wait a minute. You have to answer this too," he complained.

"No, I don't." She refused and folded her arms like a child.

"Fine, then I am not answering either," he put down his terms.

"Oh, come on. I always have so much fun learning more about you," she quibbled.

He did not respond or even look into her direction. She continued to whine, and he continued to be unresponsive.

"Fine, I'll answer it too. Happy?" she resigned.

"Yes," he said with a hint of a smile.

"For me, it would be my mom. I miss her so much. 12 years ago, we were in Tenebrae. King Regis and Prince Noctis had visited us. We were one happy family. We had dinner that night and then we played some games before going to bed. I had no idea that it would be the last meal I would have with my mom. The next day, the Empire attacked and General Glauca killed my mom right in front of my eyes."

"I am sorry. I shouldn't have forced you to answer this question," he said, feeling guilty.

"No, it's fine. I don't mind sharing this with you. Honestly, it felt nice to just say it and let it all out," she confessed. "I wonder what my mom would think of me?"

"I am sure she would be very proud of you," he reassured.

"I hope so," she replied wishfully.

'Since she was an Oracle herself, I wonder what advice she would give me regarding following my duty or my heart.'

Ignoring her thoughts, she continued, "Question two. Would you like to be famous? In what way?"

"I don't want to be famous, but I do want to help people. It feels good that people can depend on you, but I hate all the spotlight that comes with it," he admitted.

"I am the opposite. I like to be famous so that I can inspire others, give them hope and bring a smile to their faces," she said passionately.

"So just the way you are right now," he pointed.

"Yes, pretty much," she realized. "Question three. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why?"

"Yes, because it helps me organize my thoughts and deliver my message using the least amount of words necessary."

"That is so typical Squall," she immediately commented on his response with a laugh. "I don't do that. Mainly, because a telephone is a Lucian technology, and it wasn't available to people outside of it. That is why I used Umbra and Pryna to communicate with Noctis."

"Interesting."

"Question four. What would constitute a "perfect" day for you?"

This one required some thought. "Any day when I am not required to pick up my weapon is a perfect day for me," he concluded.

"Good answer," she liked his response. "Being with the ones I love and to see them safe and happy would be a perfect day for me."

"That is typical Luna."

"Question five. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?" she asked.

"Never," was his instant reply.

"Yesterday," she confessed shyly.

"What? You sang yesterday? Where was I?" he probed.

"You were doing your chores," he pointed out.

"How come I've never heard you sing?" he asked.

"Because I make sure to sing only when you are not around," she said with a smile.

"Why?" he asked with confusion on his face.

"I don't know. I just feel it would be embarrassing to sing in front of you," she admitted playing with a strand of her hair.

"Really?"

"I think I will become very self-conscious if you are watching," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Then I won't look," he proposed a solution.

"That's not the point," she said, rolling her eyes.

"How about this, if you sing for me then I'll give you a nice gift," he offered.

"What kind of gift?" she asked as her interest peaked. She loves gifts; even if it is insignificant or has no monetary value, it's the thought behind it that she values the most.

"I don't know. I'll find something you'd like," he proposed, looking at her.

"Deal," she offered her hand. He shook her hand and locked the deal. "Question six."

"Wait. I thought you agreed to sing," he stopped her.

"I didn't say I am going to sing right now," she said with a smirk.

"Cheater," he protested.

"Question six. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want?"

"Mind," he replied instantly.

"Interesting choice," she commented.

"What's the point of getting to 90 when if I am just going to forget what I did in all those years? With the mind of a 30-year-old, I could learn so much for the remaining 60 years. Knowledge is power. Also, I would have memories of all my friends and family. If you think about it, our memories are all we have in the end."

"I would pick the body," she revealed after thinking.

"Strange choice coming from a bookworm," he pointed out.

"Simple, I would prefer to have the body of a 30-year-old, so I can serve more people," she replied enthusiastically.

"That is a valid point," he agreed.

"Question seven. Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die?"

"Probably alone in my timeless prison," he uttered without any emotions in his voice.

"I'll pass on this one. I'd rather not think about it," she remarked, looking away from him, saddened dripping in her tone.

'There it is once again; she is avoiding any topics related to future or death.' he thought.

"Question eight. Name three things you and your partner appear to have in common."

"Hmm, what do we have in common? Let's see," he thinks for a bit. "1) We are both driven by our sense of duty. 2) We both like to help people and 3) We both like coconuts?" he guessed the last one.

"Hey, that last one doesn't count," she immediately protested.

He thought for a few seconds before saying, "We both are good at masking our real emotions."

She nodded, "Bingo. You said everything I was going to say. The only thing I can think of adding is that we both like to get in trouble." She added with a smile and he reciprocated it.

"Question nine. For what in your life do you feel most grateful?" she asked.

"I am grateful to all my friends; I was an orphan, so my friends were the only family I ever had. I know I am not the easiest person to get along with, but they never gave up on me. It's rather sad that I don't remember them right now or anything more specific, but there was this one girl who worked really hard to bring me out of my shell. I will forever be grateful to her. And one person I will forever be grateful for is you."

"Me?" she wondered.

"When I came here, I did not know anyone but knowing you were enough. You made me feel like I belong here," he appreciated.

"That is the least I could have done for you after all that you did for me," she said, modestly downplaying her role.

"My turn. I am grateful that gods choose me to be the Oracle so I can help people. As an Oracle, I get to travel around the world, bless people, cure them, give them hope and guide them spiritually. To do all that is the most satisfying part of my life. And I am grateful for a guardian who protects and cares for me sometimes more than I care for myself. If it wasn't for him, I probably won't even be alive today."

"You are grateful to Astrals for giving you are a guardian or grateful to the guardian himself?" he asked, fishing for compliments.

"Both," she said with a smile. "Question ten. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?"

"Easy. That would be to grow up with parents. I don't know what it feels like to have a dad or a mom."

"Same for me. Would have loved to grow up with both my parents. Lost my mom when I was little and my dad, well, let's not go into that." She avoided discussing that topic any further.

"Oh, this is a nice one. Question eleven. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?"

"Hmm," he thought briefly before saying, "Telepathic communication so I never have to speak or explain myself to anyone."

"Hahahaha that is so typical of you," she could barely contain her laughter. Once her laughter subsided, she thought about the question deeply. Her expression changed to somber as she said, "I would like the ability to protect the ones I love. I have seen too many people die in front of my eyes."

"It's never easy to forget death once you see it," he consoled.

"Question twelve. Take four minutes and tell your partner your life story in as much detail as possible."

"You already know most about it. I don't remember specifics or even most names anymore, but I'll tell you what I do remember. I grew up in an orphanage till I was 5, then I was moved to a military academy where I graduated as a SeeD. As SeeD, we were trained to neutralize sorceresses. On the day of my graduation, a beautiful girl approached me and we danced together."

'Hold the press, he had a girlfriend?' screamed Luna's mind. 'I mean, why wouldn't he? Just look at him. But still…'

"I was deployed on a mission to help the rebels fight against an occupancy of a militaristic nation, and as fates would have it, the girl I danced with was the leader of the resistance. I really disliked her personality; she was a polar opposite of mine and we would fight often."

'Fight like we do?'

"Our mission did not go as planned as a powerful sorceress seized control of that military nation. Our next mission was to assassinate the sorceress. I was injured in that fight and was captured. Eventually, someone broke us out of there. But since we attacked sorceress, she retaliated by destroying one of the military academies by launching missiles. We were able to save the academy where I grew up. Eventually, we fought against the sorceress and defeated her only to learn that a sorceress from the future called Ultimecia had possessed her. When a sorceress is defeated or dies, they pass on their power to the next sorceress."

"Like the kings of Lucis?" she noticed the similarities.

"Perhaps. The powers were passed on to that girl."

"The one you danced with?"

"Yes. She then fell into a coma and I carried her all the way to a technologically superior country to find a cure for her. It wasn't until she was in a coma that I realized how much I missed her. I had fallen for her and I didn't even know about it."

"That does sound like you," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Ya. I would talk to her all the time, even though she was in a coma."

'It all makes sense now. That's why he kept talking to me because I reminded him of her.'

"I eventually found that the person who could cure her was out in a space station. So we traveled there, but Ultimecia possessed her again. Once Ultimecia was done with her, she left her dying in space. She was adrift in space floating endlessly. I put on a spacesuit and jumped out in the space to look for her and possibly save her."

"You jumped out in space? You are crazy." She uttered in disbelief.

"Yes, I couldn't just let her die. I loved her," he confessed.

"Wow, I wonder if someone would do the same for me," she said, being romantically hopeful.

"I would do it in a heartbeat for you," he responded immediately. Before her heart could rejoice, he added, "It's my duty to protect you so I'll do anything for you."

'So, it's out of duty, not out of feelings?'

"Once we returned to earth, she surrendered herself to the authorities to be cryogenically frozen."

"Wait, why?"

"She was afraid that if she gets possessed by Ultimecia again, then she might end up hurting someone she loves."

"She became a sorceress, and you were the SeeD commander in charge so your duty was to kill her?"

"In theory, yes."

"I can't imagine being in your shoes. Or in her shoes either," she paused briefly before continuing, "It must be so tough for both of you."

"My heart and my duty were at odds. I finally listened to my heart and rescued her once more. We then made a plan to allow the time compression to happen and use that to travel to the future to defeat Ultimecia. After defeating her we were all supposed to get back to our time and live happily ever after, but I got lost in time compression. I had promised her to meet in the flower field, but I couldn't find my way there. I don't know if it was a coincident or by design that I was stuck in time compression. One of the last things Ultimecia said to me before dying was, 'The price for your meddling is death beyond death. I shall send you to a dimension beyond your imagining.' I might have defeated her, but she might have won in the end. To be separated from the ones I love, not being able to return home, and slowly forgetting everyone I knew. I think it truly is a fate worse than death. I was in that timeless prison for a very long time until Umbra found me and Shiva brought me to you and here I am today."

"If finishing my journey can reunite you with your loved ones and bring you happiness, then I'll finish it even at the cost of my life," she said determinedly.

"Thank you," he appreciated that she cared so much for him. "I was only 17 when I defeated Ultimecia. I am 27 now, I don't remember what happened to me in those 10 years. It feels like a whole chunk of my life is missing."

"That is so strange. You don't remember anything from that time?"

"No, I don't. My memory has never been good, but I am not going to just forget the last few years of my life," he said with frustration evident in his voice.

"How come you don't remember stuff?" she asked curiously.

"It's the price we pay for getting strength from Astrals. We have to junction Astrals to our mind in order to use their power and magic, but the longer we are attached to them the heavier toll it takes on the memory."

"Power of Astral always comes with a price," she averred knowing all too well about it.

"That was longer than 4 minutes I think," he confessed after taking a glance at the timer in the car's dashboard.

"That was because I kept interrupting," she protested, trying to make him feel better. "Okay, my turn now."

She cleared her throat and started, "Let's see. I was born in the Fenestala Manor at Tenebrae. Soon after that the Divine Host of Messengers, Gentiana, visited me and foretold that I would be the future Oracle and I was ordained to work with Prince Noctis of Lucis to bring light back to the world. In time, I would come to forge covenants with each of the Six to beseech them to share their blessings with the Chosen King, Noctis. Me, my mom, my brother Ruvus, who is 4 years older than I, were a happy family. About 12 years ago, King Regis, who was our ally, visited us with injured Prince Noctis. During their stay, Niflheim attacked and General Glauca murdered Sylva in front of our eyes. King Regis escaped with Noctis despite Ravus pleading him for help. King Regis had to protect Noctis for he is the chosen King, but Ruvus saw that as abandonment and has resented Lucis and their royal line ever since. I could have escaped with King Regis, but I chose to stay behind with my brother. The incident was covered up, and the queen was reported to have perished in an accidental fire. Tenebrae was annexed into Niflheim and I was held captive by the Empire in my own castle."

She continued, "My every move, every breath, was watched by the Empire. The only place where I did not have any prying eyes was in my own room. I always put on a brave face in public because I did not want to show weakness to the Empire. In reality, I was always alone. Ruvus has started staying more at Niflheim and would visit me occasionally, but even that was not the same. Losing our mom and Tenebrae had changed him. At that point, I had no friends to talk to, no family to comfort me, and had no one to wipe my tears. It was around that time I developed a hobby of reading. Books would transfer me to a land of adventure, dreams, and possibilities. I particularly enjoyed fantasy novels, so I could forget about my reality.
When I was thirteen, I entered into a covenant with Shiva. Shiva awoke as a giantess and attacked Niflheim before being subjugated by the imperial magitek army. It just got worse from there. The Empire doubled down their security on me and my confinement was taken to a whole another level. My only companions were Gentiana, Pryna, Umbra, and Prince Noctis."

"Noctis? Wasn't he in Lucis?" he interjected.

Luna resumed, "He was but when he came to Tenebrae, I gave him a diary and we made a promise to write to each other. Umbra would deliver it back and forth for us. We didn't really write much to each other. I would send him pictures and flowers while he sends back stickers. He was younger than me and I did not expect him to understand my situation. It wasn't much, but it was enough. When you are lost in the darkness, even the smallest of the lights can show you the way. Noctis was that light for me in my times of darkness. He gave me hope that someday the King of Light will rise to eradicate this darkness and free me from the shackles of the Empire."

She continued, "Meanwhile, Ravus had started climbing through the military ranks in the Empire and I don't think it's a coincidence that around the same time I was granted permission to leave Tenebrae for the very first time to perform my Oracle duties. At the age of sixteen, I became the youngest Oracle in history. Under supervision from the Empire, and I began to travel the lands to heal people with my powers. I was already well-read, but it was during my travels that I finally saw the world, meet many people, learned about their customs and culture, and the nuances of daily life. I soon realized that I wasn't the only one suffering; there were people out there who have perhaps suffered far more than I have. It was truly an eye-opening and humbling experience. It made my resolve to aid Prince Noctis even stronger so he could lead people to a better future."

She was over her 4 minutes time-limit, but Leon let her continue.

"The Empire tried everything within their power to breach the magical barrier of Lucis in Insomnia. Eventually, they offered a peace treaty to King Regis. As part of the treaty, I was to be betrothed to Prince Noctis. It was an olive branch for the people and a deal which King Regis would surely not reject."

"Were you okay with a political marriage like that?" he asked.

"What choice did I have? It's not like they asked me if I was okay with it. Besides, if I were to get married, I'd rather marry Noctis. At least I know him and I know that he will treat me well. Given my position, if not Noctis then I would probably end up getting married to some royalty in Nefilhlem. I don't have much say in that. So yeah, I'd rather marry Noctis than anyone else."

Somehow hearing that felt like someone had taken his heart out and stabbed it. Ignoring the heartache, Leon asked, "But that treaty was a ruse. Simply a means to get access to Insomnia and its crystal. That treaty is not even valid anymore, so do you still want to get married to Noctis?"

"Yes."

It was the answer he knew he would get, but wish he didn't.

She continued, "Yes, because our marriage would be the best thing politically for people of both of our nations."

"But what about you? Do you love Noctis?" he asked, and his mind chastises him for asking that question. He was practically asking for more pain.

"Yes, I would like to believe so. However, the truth is, I don't know. I have not seen or spoken to Noctis in 12 years now. I don't know how much he has changed or if he would even like me. I don't know if he already has someone he loves. I've never been in a relationship before so I don't know what love really feels like. All I know is that I do have feelings for him, but I just don't know how to classify them."

"You haven't seen or spoken to a guy in 12 years and yet you are loyal to him? After all these years, you still love him and want to get married to him?" he said, clearly surprised.

"Well, when you put it like that, it sounds stupid," she admitted.

"No," he disagreed. "It sounds amazing. That level of devotion towards someone is something I highly respect and admire." To top it off, he even gave her a salute.

"You are so different, Leon. Most people would have called it crazy," she said.

"What can I do, I like crazy," he said, which brought a smile to her face after a long time.

"So, where were we?" she asked before picking up, "Oh right, so the Empire took me to the Insomnia with them as a bait. Thankfully, King Regis saw through their ruse and had Prince Noctis out of Insomnia to travel to Altissias for our wedding, keeping him safe in the process. The night before the treaty signing General Glauca captured me and held me in an airship outside of the Insomnia. On the day of the treaty, King Regis found out that I was missing, so he sent his elite Kingsglaves to rescue me. With King's elite military out of the way, the Empire launched a full-scale invasion. They stole the crystal, and the Insomnia fell to the combined might of daemons and their magictek army. General Glauca killed King Regis in front of my eyes, and once again, I was unable to do anything. Before he died, he gave me this ring of Lucii to give it to Noctis."

"What's so special about this ring?" he asked with curiosity.

"Power. Untold power. It connects the power of the kings of Lucis and lets the wearer channel the power of Eos's Crystal. It is handed down from generation to generation, containing the collective power and wisdom of each Lucian monarch. The ring grants its immense power only to those it deems worthy."

"And what happens to those who are deemed not worthy of this ring?" he inquired further.

"They get burned by its power. My brother tried it and was rejected. He burned his arm so now he has a prosthetic arm."

"Very picky ring. Remind me never to wear it," he averred.

"That is why I am holding on to this ring so I can deliver it to Prince Noctis. I made my escape through Insomnia in this very car as everything crumbled around me. Thanks to a brave Kingsglave named Nyx and his friend Libertus I escaped to Lestallum along with other refugees."

"Looks like this car and you have some connection," he noted, slowing down the car to make a turn.

"When Insomnia fell, I knew it was time to wake up the Astrals so the king my tap into their power and get a fighting chance against the Empire. So, I went straight to wake up the Archean and you know the rest."

"You have been through a lot. The fact that you did that with a smile on your face makes it even more impressive," he admired her.

"I am just playing my role in this grand scheme of things. With the blessing of the gods and the power of this ring, Noctis can finally drive away the darkness. It is my duty to guide him to his destiny."

"Luna, will being with Noctis make you happy?" he entreated, looking at her.

"Yes, it will," she said with conviction, after hesitating initially.

"Noctis is clearly very important to you, so why don't you travel with him? Wouldn't it make everything easier?" he proposed.

"No, I can't do that. Wherever I go, the Empire follows. By traveling with him, I would just be putting his life in more danger. By being one step ahead of him, I would draw the Empire's attention and carve out a path for him to follow."

"So, you are going to risk yourself so he can have an easier path?" he said with a hint of anger in his tone.

"Nothing in life comes without a sacrifice. I am willing to put myself in danger if it offers Noctis his best shot at fulfilling his destiny as a true king."

"But what about your destiny?"

"My duty is my destiny. I might not know much about love, but I believe that rather than being with the one you love, doing what's best for them is better. When you love someone, their happiness is all that matters to you, not your sacrifice for it. If you are keeping tabs on how much you have sacrificed for someone you love, then you probably don't love them enough."

"Very well said. Anyone would be lucky to have you as their life partner. Your love and devotion is out of this world," he said wistfully.

"Or maybe I am just too naïve, I don't know," she said, downplaying the compliment.

"If your happiness lies with Noctis, then I will do anything to unite you with him, even if it is the last thing I do in this world," he committed.

"Please don't. I am drowning in your debt already. You have sacrificed enough for me," she urged.

"I am not keeping tabs," he said with a smile.

"That was way over 4 minutes," she suddenly realized the time.

"It felt like 4 minutes, though," he said, trying to make her at ease.

"Whatever this test is, I think it is very good. Look how much we ended up talking because of this," she confessed. She carefully folded the paper and put it away in the glove compartment.

"Ya, a structured conversation is always better," he agreed.

"I am glad we talked so much. I feel that we understand each other better now," she replied with a smile.

"Yes, I feel we are closer now," he said looking fondly at her. 'But I don't think it's necessarily a good thing,' his mind followed up with a thought.

"How long before our next stop?" she inquired.

"Just a few more minutes," he said, looking at their surroundings.

"Do you want to put some music?" she suggested.

"Sure, play anything you want," he offered.

They listened to the music until they came to their destination.

Author's Notes:

The answer from the last chapter: "The Legend of Vascaroon" is a book which contains the legend of Hyne in FFVIII. Lina reads this book to children on the White SeeD Ship.

Survival knife, is a nod to Lightning from FFXIII. She gets that as a birthday gift from Serah.

Please leave a comment if you've enjoyed the story so far. I would love to hear your thoughts. Or at least say 'Hi' so I know you are reading this. Thanks :)