A/N: I hope everyone is staying safe and sane during this pandemic. The first arc for Journey to Dawn is complete and I will try to update once a week from now on.

Noctis barged into the room, his eyes taking in the mess that was Nyx and Libertus. Large shadows hung from their eyes. Bruises, that looked too old to have been made since their departure less than a day ago, were scattered across every inch of skin not covered by scratches or cuts. Their pants were cut, charred and shredded in several areas.

Noct raised a brow at the lack of shirts for a moment before he smashed two hi-potions on their head. "You both look like shit. What happened?" He demanded as he dropped into a seat and waited for the inevitable report.

Nyx shared a glance with Libertus, "I don't know if you'll believe us."

"Of course we will!" Prompto plopped himself between the two, arms reaching out to hug them. He waited for a beat before prodding gently, "So what happened?"

Nyx sighed then, with one last glance to Libertus, told them.

Nyx took the first steps into the cave without hesitating, Libertus only a few steps behind. Neither had seen any traces of Niflheim in the area but they knew better than to let their guard down. Nyx frowned, lifted a hand to warn Libs as he dropped to a crouch to look at something.

"This is…" Nyx carefully touched the ground. "A group passed here not too long ago. Looks like standard Niflheim army boot tracks."

"So they are here already." Libertus dropped beside him. "Guess we'll have some cleaning up to do." They shared a ferocious grin before getting back to their feet.

Time to hunt some soldiers.

Years of hunting and fighting together had made them well-practiced partners. Nyx took the lead as they followed the tracks deeper into the cave. They listened carefully for the sounds of the Niflheim soldiers, but strangely heard only the sounds of dripping water mixing with the ever present moaning wind that pushed them deeper into the cave.

Then they found the first body. "What in Ifrit's name?" Libertus hissed, raising a hand over his nose at the awful stink it made. "What kind of beast could have done that?"

The body was barely recognizable as one. The limbs had been shredded into ribbons. Large holes pierced the head and body, the sickly burning smell telling them whatever had caused them had been red hot.

Nyx swallowed down his nausea and forced himself to examine the corpse in more detail. The blond hair and the familiar but not eyes told him this had been one of the clones. He closed the eyes with a wince, reminding himself that while it might have looked like Prompto, Niflheim had ensured the clones were unable to think, feel pain or otherwise have any semblance of thoughts beyond what was programmed into them.

It didn't make dealing with them any better but Nyx pressed on. He could cuddle with Prompto when they returned. For now he forced himself to check the wounds. He could see no claw or bite mark, only smooth holes of burnt flesh.

A hand dropped on his shoulder. "Come on Nyx. I don't think we'll find anything more." Libertus squeezed his shoulder gently then stepped back as Nyx got up. "The tracks divide into three a bit further away. We'll have to pick which way to go."

"Follow the Niffs? Or continue our own mission?" Nyx asked after looking at the three tunnels leading deeper into the (group of underground systems caves).

"Aren't they one and the same?" Libs retorted with a shrug. Nyx raised a brow and waited until Libertus sighed. "Fine. I'd rather avoid fighting in here as much as possible so let's stick to finding where this system leads."

Nyx rolled his eyes but jerked his head towards the right most tunnel. "The wind is going through there."

They followed the tunnel as it led deeper inland. Then the weirdness started. At first, it wasn't really noticeable. Silver lines mixed into the dark grey surroundings. Unusual smoothness to a surface. The moaning of the wind growing to sound just the slightest bit like voices.

Then a wall of spike impaled Nyx before Libertus could even blink. "NYX!" He scrambled for the rock face, nail useless as he tried to get through to his friend.

A heavy thump behind him made Libertus twirl around, a vicious snarl and an even more vicious kukri in hand. His knees almost gave out as he saw Nyx, alive, crumbled to the ground dry heaving. "Shit! Nyx!" Libertus scrambled over, shoving a water bottle into Nyx's hands even as he checked him over for injuries.

"Ramuh's beard, how did you know to warp away?"

"Didn't." Came the raspy voice. "I… That thing…. Libs… I think I died…"

"Choco shit." Libs frowned as he decided he'd better force Nyx to take a potion if he thought he'd died. "You're still among the living Nyx."

Nyx opened his mouth to reply but didn't, settling on letting Libertus break a potion over him. Libertus got back up, looked at the blocked passage and grumbled, "Looks like we'd better go back. If the caves are booby-trapped like this then the Niffs are likely dead."

Nyx gave a wan smile, slowly got up to his feet and nodded. "I have no complaint about that."

This time Libertus led the way though he kept glancing back to Nyx every few seconds. It was during one of his glances backwards that Libertus died for the first time. The ground disappeared under his feet and he felt the burning spikes sear through his spine and stomach.

He heard Nyx scream his name.

Then Libertus dropped to the ground right beside Nyx. His stomach twisted in protest as Nyx swept Libertus into a relieved hug. "Shit Libs! You okay?" Libertus gagged and pushed Nyx away just in time as his last meal came back out.

"Ramuh's blessed ass, that was worse than warping!" Libertus grumbled as he wiped his mouth with a shaking hand.

Nyx sat back on his hunches and shook his head, "That's all you have to say after dying like that?" He tried to make his tone joking but wasn't really successful.

Libs reached out and squeezed Nyx's arm gently. "Now what?"

"... I don't think we have much of a choice here." Nyx finally whispered after the tense silence. "We've been following the only path there is and we've walked longer than when we entered."

"And this place doesn't look anything like the path we were on coming in." Libertus added as he looked around.

Nyx nodded. "Ya. And I don't think going back is going to help either." Nyx jerked his thumb backwards where the walls were covered by silvery lines that shone just enough to limit their vision.

The two stayed silent for a while longer, Libs catching his breath and Nyx trying to figure out what to do. "We'll have to keep going." Nyx finally said, shoulders slumping slightly at the prospect. "And hope that whatever is keeping us from dying won't stop once we get out."

"We got killed a bunch of times over the next few days." Nyx finished, "Luckily for us, whatever kept us from dying did not stop once we managed to find the way out." He flinched as Crowe slapped the back of his head with a glare.

Noctis reached out and gripped Libertus' and Nyx's forearm. "I'm so glad you survived." Anything else he wanted to say was interrupted by Luna's arrival. Noctis shared amused glances with his boyfriends as Luna set about fussing over Nyx and Libertus.

The next morning saw another meeting arranged though with less members as Regis, Clarus and Cor had left with some soldiers to help out another island. Nyx and Libertus gave the same report, with a bit less details on their deaths this time, to everyone.

As they finished speaking, Noctis looked around to gauge the reactions of his friends and advisors. Ravus looked both horrified and intrigued by the information but it was Navalus and Elder Prudens' reactions that caught his attention.

"Does it mean something to either of you?" Noctis inquired with a tilt of his head.

Navalus and Elder Prudens shared a look before the Elder spoke. "It is the Trial Grounds of Kaitiaki."

Luna straightened and leaned forward. "A Trial Ground?"

Elder Prudens nodded, "Yes. When Kaitiaki still walked among the Jungles of Galahd, a ruler was chosen in times of hardship to lead all Clans to safety. This Ruler was chosen through the Trials of Kaitiaki though the exact process is not within my knowledge. The Storytellers would know more than I on the subject."

"How fascinating." Luna's eyes sparkled with interest though it was quickly reigned in when she caught sight of Nyx and Libertus. "Ah... Umm... But how do those traps fit into this Trial?"

The Elder shrugged. "I do not know. All that I do know is that this cave that was unearthed once more is the Trial Grounds of Kaitiaki. Perhaps this is a sign from Kaitiaki that They are ready to walk among the Jungles once more."

"Ramuh's message..." Noctis muttered thoughtfully. He straightened after a few moments and proposed. "I received a message from Ramuh the day these Trial Grounds were discovered. I believe Ramuh is recommending a new Ruler be chosen."

"That may be the case but who would be chosen to attempt these trials? If this is anything like the Trial Grounds of Gilgamesh then there is a high likelihood that whomever we send will die." Gladio paced around the table.

Navalus shook his head. "I doubt it considering what Nyx and Libertus have just told us. Not to mention that Kaitiaki is a guardian of all life within Galahd. It would not make sense if their Trials caused the death of those who attempt it."

"Which leaves the questions of who would go." Ravus crossed his arms. "Would you attempt the Trials yourself, Noctis?" Noctis shook his head which caused Ravus to raise a brow. "And why not?"

"My family is tied to Bahamut; even if he decided I was no longer his Chosen, and I doubt a Guardian who survived the Astral War would appreciate an attempt from me." Noctis explained. He could have sworn Elder Prudens' lips twitched before they were able to control their expression. "I was going to ask for volunteers among the glaives and hunters." His suggestion was greeted by nods from their group.

"In that case I volunteer." Nyx said with a grin. Noctis raised a brow and Nyx replied to the silent question. "We weren't prepared the first time around."

"You mean you want to 'defeat' those traps," Ravus deadpanned, though his eyes were amused. Nyx laughed as he shrugged. "I'll spread the word among the glaives. Gladio? If you could see if any hunters would be interested in dying multiple times within a time warping cave, it would be much appreciated."

Gladio laughed, "Sure thing, Ravus. Though I think I'll change the wording a bit when I do." Ravus rolled his eyes as he left. Luna, Navalus and Elder Prudens followed soon after, leaving only Nyx and Libertus with the four men.

"Guess I'll be going too." Libertus sighed as he got up with a wince.

Ignis frowned, "It is purely voluntary, Libertus. You do not need to go if you do not wish to."

A shrug. "Someone's got to make sure a certain Hero doesn't cause trouble." Nyx shot Libertus a glare until the guy added, "Plus a few of the past Rulers have been Ostiums."

"Well if you're going, so am I." Crowe crossed her arms, challenging any of them to disagree with her. Gladio grinned and brought his arms up in a gesture of surrender. With nothing else to discuss, the three glaives left to get some rest and ready themselves for the Trials.

Prompto watched them go and muttered, "So Pelna is going to go too, then."

Ignis smiled, "Most likely. I would expect Miss Selena to volunteer as well." Noctis buried his face into his arms as he groaned. This whole thing was going to be a mess no matter who went.

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