Disclaimer: not mine

Originally I was doing this all as one part but then I decided to split it into two – this chapter is the prequel and the sequel chapter will be posted in a day or two.

Part 2

He opened the door and walked over to the desk, waiting to be acknowledged. His Dad set his pen aside and looked up, smiling at him. He could see the strain and hated it, hated that he couldn't do anything to take some of the burden from his Dad or older brother. Certain members of the Council had made sure he knew from a very young age just how lucky he was that his Grandfather had not been King when he was born; if Mors had still been alive and King…he likely would have been killed to ensure no threat to Noctis' inheritance. Considering the trouble their family had in producing children, that was a very short-sighted way to handle the family as far as he was concerned. Happily, his Dad agreed. He still could have been sent away but instead he'd grown up in the Citadel with his Dad and big brother…half-brother technically. Not that either of them cared about that.

"Any idea where your brother is?"

"It's Wednesday so probably at the arcade with Prom," he grinned, and his Dad laughed. "What's wrong? What did the envoy want?" he asked, sitting down.

"Peace," King Regis answered, and Sora rolled his eyes .

"Yeah right." He might not be heir, but that didn't mean his Dad had skimped on his education, he'd had the same lessons as Noctis on politics and history. There was no way the Empire wanted peace without something else.

"So long as we surrender everything outside of Insomnia and Noctis marries Lunafreya."

Sora winced, that would not go over well at all.

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Noctis glanced over at his little brother as they worked to pack his apartment. Apparently it wasn't appropriate for him to bring his new bride to so he was being moved back to the Citadel. He didn't want any of it, marriage or moving back, but once again, he had no say in his own future. Sometimes…he envied Sora, he had less demands and attention on him. Then again, there were still people who tried to deny him his birthright by claiming he wasn't a real Lucis Caelum. Even if they hadn't been able to do a blood test to be sure, he not only looked like one but he had the family magic, he was better at using it than Noctis was! And he was two years older. Then again, Sora had never suffered something like the Marilith attack he had when he was eight.

"Noct?"

"Yeah?" he dumped a bunch of comics into a box for donation.

"Will you be okay? I know you don't want to marry Luna; it'd be like…like marrying me!" Sora grimaced.

"Thanks for that wonderful mental image," he grumbled. That was just...yeah, no. But Sora knew him, knew that he loved Luna…like an older sister. The thought of marrying her was not one he enjoyed. "There's no choice if we want peace. And don't think of volunteering in my place, the envoy was clear, it has to be the Crown Prince."

"Fine," Sora grumbled.

Noctis loved his little brother, even when some people wanted him gone while others thought he should be heir since he was better at magic than Noct was. He'd been so lonely before Sora had come home but he'd loved him instantly. He'd been so little, blue eyes wide, clinging to Dad's leg, how could Noct not love him? Iggy had immediately begun looking after Sora and the three of them had formed a happy group. He'd never forget Sora's first meeting with Gladio, he'd kicked him in the shins! He'd never seen Uncle Clarus laugh so hard or Gladio look so shocked.

Noctis had been friends with Prompto for almost a year before Sora had gotten to meet him and he was shocked to find he'd never been jealous even as Sora and Prompto had become even closer than Noctis was to the blond he called his best friend. Sora was the 'spare' so no one really cared about who he dated, technically. He was happy for them and their Dad had made it clear he approved too. He knew Ignis had 'dealt' with a few dissenters and he'd never ask about how. He wanted what they had, instead he was being forced to marry for politics and to someone he didn't love in that way. Sure they'd sent the notebook back and forth over the years, but that didn't mean they knew each other well or anything. And even if the treaty hadn't been so clear about which of them was to marry Luna, he wouldn't have let Sora sacrifice his happiness for his own. Sora didn't even like girls!

"I wish I was going with you guys."

"I'll make sure Prom makes it home in one piece and with lots of photos," he promised, grabbing Sora to mess with his hair, making Sora struggle, the two of them laughing as they wrestled.

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Prompto looked up at the King as Noctis went through the motions for their leaving the city. His gaze drifted to the left and down at little, meeting dark blue eyes, seeing the small smile, and offering his own in return. They were soon bowing and leaving the Throne Room. They were heading towards the main Citadel doors when he spotted a figure warping into a side room.

"Go on," Noct murmured, and Prompto grinned at him before hurrying over.

Sora was quickly wrapped around him and Prompto held on tight. "I want to go with you," the young Prince admitted softly and then he was kissing him. "Promise you'll be careful."

"It's just a quick drive to Galdin Quay and then a ferry ride," he assured the younger male. "Don't worry, we'll be back before you know it."

Sora shook his head, eyes dark with worry. "There's something Dad's not saying and Crowe…she's dead Prom, after being sent on a mystery mission. Please, be careful."

"We will," he promised. Surely the only danger would be camping at night and there were hotels or havens the whole way to Galdin. "And we'll be back before you know it, Noct a married man," he grinned at the idea. He'd never really thought about marriage…not until he'd turned eighteen and had been with Sora for a year. Sure, their dating had been allowed, but marriage? A prince and Niff refugee?

"Marry me?"

And Prompto's brain screeched to a halt. Had he…did he… and then Sora was kissing him softly.

"Breath," Sora whispered as he pulled back.

"You…you mean it?" he asked shakily and then he was shocked again when Sora pulled out a small velvet box. Oh, wow, he really meant it.

"I talked to Dad last week. All the paperwork's done so even if this mess blows up, no one can try and say no, except Noct but only if he's King. If you want…" Sora shifted nervously.

"Yes," Prompto whispered. He caught Sora as he threw himself into his arms, hugging him close, and he realised Sora had been worried he'd say no. He watched Sora open the box and then the simple band with a bevel set dark blue sapphire was being slipped onto his left ring finger. The stone was the same colour as Sora's eyes and he loved it. this time, he kissed Sora and then he sighed as he heard Gladio call for him. "I've got to go."

"Come home soon." And with that Sora was gone. He'd said his goodbyes to Noctis and the others earlier, they wanted their leaving to be quiet for security reasons after all.

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Sora ran through the Citadel, terrified. The ground shock from another explosion and he warped from one hall to the next to save time, he had to get to the Throne Room! Why had Dad sent him away for the treaty signing? He must have suspected something would happen. Was that why Noct and the others had been sent to Altissia? But then…he grimaced; he'd been kept in the city as a show of trust. And he bet he knew who had pushed for that, stupid old men. Still, Dad would need his help from what he'd seen before the feed had been cut. He yelped, stumbling, and then stared in horror as the Wall fell, able to see the Imperial ships in the far distance approaching the city. So not good! At least Noct and the others would be safe. Prompto…he forced himself to focus and not think of his brother or boyfriend…fiancé.

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The sword swung for his hand and Regis pulled back but he knew it wouldn't be fast enough, only for a barrier to spring to life between them. He turned and saw Sora sliding across the floor, Ravus yelping as he went down, tangled with Regis' youngest. Sora rolled and drew back his fist, slamming it hard into the young nobles face, once and then again, Ravus going still in unconsciousness. Regis was relieved when Nyx Ulric appeared and hauled Sora up, pushing him back towards Lunafreya before launching himself at Glauca.

Regis called the Royal Arms again, joining Ulric's attack. He had been unable to defeat the General so long ago and he was much weaker now, but Ulric helped there. And then Sora joined the battle, faster and more agile than Ulric, highly unpredictable in his moved. And…it was almost as if Glauca knew Ulric's moves somehow…a very disquieting idea. The three of them managed to push the General into at least a temporary retreat and Regis quickly led them to the hidden elevator.

He knew what must be done, no matter how it would hurt his beloved son. He slipped the Ring from his finger and pressed it into Sora's hand. "See the Ring safely to Noctis," he whispered, watching as Sora went white. "I love you son, there is so much… I wish there was more time." He pulled Sora into a hug, feeling him cling to him. He was barely eighteen, too young for all of this, but there was no choice.

He looked over at Ulric, the only living Glaive whose loyalty he was sure of, and then to Princess Lunafreya, seeing her worry but also the strength within her. "Nyx Ulric, I have one last mission for you, not just as your King, but as a Father. See the Ring, Sora, and Luna safely to Noctis in Altissia. Protect my children, please, for they are the only hope Lucis has."

"Dad…"

"Find your brother Sora and be happy with dear Prompto. I would have liked to see you wed." And then they were moving towards the garage.

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"Dad no!"

Nyx spun at the sound of the Prince's voice to find the King had pushed him forward and erected a barrier, cutting them off from him.

"Please, don't leave us!" Lunafreya pressed her hands to the barrier even as the King smiled at her.

"I know your mother would wish the same as me. That you and Noctis live happily. All those years captive because I failed you. Not again. Locked doors will seal your fate no longer.

"King Regis..." she whispered.

Behind King Regis, the elevator shuddered and Nyx summoned his blades to fight, but how? The young Prince was trying to bring down his Father's barrier but it wasn't working.

"Our hope goes with you now, Nyx Ulric. Godspeed. Keep the children safe," his King commanded before looking to his own son. "Always remember Sora, I love you and your brother."

"Dad!"

King Regis turns to face General Glauca, who surprisingly sluted and even bowed before advancing. The King cast a Lightning spell but still the general advanced even as Nyx bashed away at the barrier with his Kukris.

"Behold, the king of Lucis, who hoarded tranquillity within his precious Walls. Where is your tranquillity now, king? Here is your peace, by steel's swift descent."

"NO!" Sora screamed, and Nyx moved to pull the boy back as the King turned towards his son.

Before anything could be done, Glauca moved, his sword emerging, bloody, from the King's chest.

Lunafreya smashed at the barrier, her hands glowing faintly golden, but still it held.

"Go..." King Regis choked out even as he collapsed.

Prince Sora screamed, thrashing in Nyx's hold and he barely kept his grip on the teen as he began moving away. The barrier wouldn't last long now and the Prince was in no state to fight when it fell.

"We must get away from here. It is what your Father wanted," Lunafreya stated firmly, unshed tears in her eyes as she cradled Sora's face in her hands. "Sora, you must get to Noctis!"

Thankfully, Sora went limp, letting Nyx drag him from the room and to a nearby car.

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He sat silently in the backseat, struggling to do anything. He was dead, his Dad was dead. Why hadn't he done anything? He could have helped! He could have…couldn't he? The car swerved, bullets pinging off the side, and he watched as Ulric tried to warp but nothing happened…because his Dad was dead. He looked over, seeing the Glaive laughing, and then he finally felt something…rage.

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Nyx heard the sound of warping and looked back, only to find the backseat empty. He looked to the side in time to see Tredd physically thrown out of the assault craft to fall to the ground below, a fatal drop without magic. Fire bloomed inside the craft, and the sound of people screaming was clear. He caught a glimpse of the Prince as he buried a sword in Axis' chest before throwing another into the cockpit, the craft beginning to drop away, and then the Prince was back in the car. Their eyes met in the rear-view mirror and Nyx swallowed hard as he saw the faint red glow fading from dark blue. He'd never considered Prince Sora scary before but now…well.

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"What the hell did you do to piss these things off?" Ulric asked as they crouched.

"It's not us they're after. It's the Ring," she explained softly, glancing at Prince Sora.

She had never met Noctis' brother before, he had been left behind in Insomnia when the King brought Noctis to Tenebrae, in order to ensure the line of succession remained secure. He was to have been her brother-in-law if the treaty had been real. Now they were both disenfranchised Royalty on the run. While the Empire needed her, needed the Oracle, they had no need for the second born son of a dead King…or if they did then it would be nothing good for young Sora.

"What's so special about this Ring? Don't tell me the future's really riding on it."

"Whoever wears the Ring communes with the Lucii and commands great power," Prince Sora murmured, hand clenched tight around the Ring. Would the Ring accept him if he put it on? He was a Lucis Caelum, brother of the Chosen King, and everything she'd seen said he was of pure intention, that he would only wear it to keep the Ring safe until it could reach Noctis.

"What kind of power?" their Glaive guard looked cautious at least which was good.

"A forbidden one. Sealed within the Ring long ago," she warned him, she'd heard stories of what happened to those not of the Line of Lucis who attempted to wear the Ring.

His eyes widened slightly. "The Old Wall, I thought that was just a bedtime story."

All three of them ducked down further at a monstrous sound outside.

"It's not, but the Lucii grant their power only to those they deem worthy. Dad…" Sora closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "He couldn't wield the Old Wall, not anymore."

"Can you?" Ulric asked, and it was a fair question, but the young Prince paled at the suggestion.

How old was he now? Eighteen? Far too young for what was happening.

Two Ahrimans flew into the building before anything else could be said, attacking Nyx, who fended them off. "How the hell did they find us?" he snarled even as one fell to a blast of fire. He stared at the second before seeming to realise something, even as he slammed his blade into it. "Your hairpin, they're tracking it. Give it to me."

Lunafreya gave him the hairpin, and he talked as he examined it, Sore leaning over to look.

"I had a little sister once. She was killed when the Empire came. I couldn't save her. I was as helpless then as I am now. I couldn't show her the future she wanted." He found something and pulled it out.

"A tracker," Sora murmured. "Where'd you get this?"

"Crowe had it, said it was a gift for the Princess," he explained.

"A mole in the Citadel," Sora snarled.

"True power is not something that is found by those who seek it. It is something that comes to those who deserve it. Your sister wanted you to see a future as well. Anyone would wish the same for family they love," Luna told the Glaive who grimaced. There was no point now in wondering about who the spy might have been, it was far too late.

"You don't pull any punches, do you?" he chuckled slightly.

"And I can do something about the power," Sora said, grabbing Ulric's hand.

"Your Highness…"

"There's no doubt you're loyal Glaive Ulric. And you having no magic is too much of a liability." As he spoke, the cold of Lucian magic filled the air, Ulric…Nyx taking a deep breath, the Crystal light shattering around their joined hands. "I don't know how different it'll be," the teen warned, and Nyx nodded before standing up, clutching the tracker. He leapt out the window without hesitating and they rushed over to see him warping away, the swarm following him. "All Glaives are nuts."

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"Don't move until I say it's safe, all right?" Nyx told the two Royals.

"We won't," the Princess agreed.

Nyx looked to his Prince, able to feel the teens' magic settling inside of him. it felt different to the Kings' but it was still magic and he could use it. that gave him an edge over the other Glaives. His Prince nodded, obviously not liking it but not arguing thankfully.

Nyx left them in the shelter of a building and walked out into the square. "Ulric, reporting! I have the Prince and Princess! They're alive and well!"

Nyx grunted as there was a sudden sharp pain in his stomach, falling to his knees even as he felt something wet soaking into his uniform, a sound echoing…shot, he'd been shot. A figure emerged and Nyx felt sick as he recognised Luche. He fired a second shot as he walked towards Nyx, that one hitting higher, and Nyx collapsed.

"No!" Lunafreya yelled, and Nyx was relieved to see the Prince pull her back.

"Get out of here!" he yelled before coughing, tasting blood. He felt the cool wash of healing magic, the wounds healing, locking the bullets in place. Not ideal but considering the situation it was better than bleeding out or letting the bullets move around. Seemed the Prince had been listening in his combat healing classes at least. They'd be a pain to remove later…if he had a later.

"You've got some fight in you, Nyx, I'll give you that," Luche taunted, kicking him in the side, and Nyx let himself role, obviously his ex-comrade hadn't noticed the Princes' magic.

"Run! Now!" he yelled at the two, grabbing his Kukri.

"I can't believe you're still moving with that hollow point in you. All Crowe could do was scream when one tore her insides apart."

"Why'd you do it?" He snarled. They'd trusted him! To know Luche had killed Crowe….he'd always thought the other had a crush on her.

"Because the Kingsglaive is nothing!" Luche snarled back. "An old man's battle fodder sent to die in Insomnia's war while our homes are bound and shackled."

"Niflheim took your home. Took all our homes! Nothing will ever change that." He attacked, but he was weakened by the wounds, even partially healed, and was knocked back.

"You never were too smart. You could've had a new future with the Empire."

He staggered to his feet and then shocked Luche by throwing lightning at him. "and you're nothing but a lowlife traitor," Nyx told him.

Luche opened his mouth to respond only to look down in shock at the sword embedded in his chest, before collapsing, the sword returning to the armiger. The Princess rushed to his side, the Prince approaching more slowly, looking around for any backup Luche might have. Good.

A car drove up and Prince Sora summoned his sword again, only to lower it when Captain Drautos got out. "Ulric!" the man approached and then saluted. "Your Highness, it's a relief to see you."

"Captain," the teenaged Royal responded. "What's the situation?"

Nyx was pleased to see that Sora remained on guard, even with Drautos' presence, after all the Captain no longer had access to the King's magic.

"The Empire holds all exists from the city, they," he stopped and they all looked as a car sped into view, stopped briefly, and then ran him over.

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Sora recognised the Glaive, or ex-Glaive who was struggling to get free of the wreck even as General Glauca walked towards them. Glauca…Drautos…how? How had he pulled that off? He had to have been loyal to the Crown once, otherwise the Oath and magic would have killed him, so why had he turned on them? On his King! And Noct…he was meant to be safe but the Empire must know where he was going, he had to get word to him.

"It's over. The daemons are unleashed, Lucis is fallen. Surrender the Ring," the traitor demanded, looking towards…Lunafreya? Did he think the Ring had been given to the Oracle for safe keeping?

Sora reached slowly into the pocket where he'd put it, touching the cold metal, feeling the magic inside it. It wasn't meant for him, but for Noctis, but the way things were going, Glauca would kill them all and take it. Did he have a choice? He was terrified, he knew what the Ring did to the unworthy, but he had to try. He had to keep the Oracle and Ring safe until they could get to Noctis. Sora looked to her and then Nyx, seeing the realisation in their eyes, and then he slipped the Ring onto his finger.

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Nyx and Libertus supported the young Prince between them as they joined the throng of people leaving the city, using their larger forms to keep anyone from getting a good look at him or Lunafreya who kept close. A cap had been shoved down over unruly black hair and the formal clothes he had been wearing were so damaged that they were unrecognisable as Princely raiment. The Ring resting on his ring finger was hidden by a pair of gloves they'd stolen from a trashed clothing store; well the Princess had done the stealing actually. Now they just had to find Prince…King Noctis and hand it and his bride over to him. Should be easy after taking out Glauca and avoiding being stepped on by the Old Wall.

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Sora watched from the shadows as Luna addressed the crowds of Altissia, eyes searching and…there! Ugh, and he wasn't even wearing a disguise! Just standing in the crowd and staring right at Luna. A glance showed Nyx had spotted him too which meant Libertus likely saw him as well, or hopefully had eyes on the others. He didn't like Luna's plan to wake Leviathan but apparently Noct needed the Astrals for the Prophecy.

The Ring was heavy on his finger and he knew the Lucii were aware of Noctis' nearness, eager to get their hooks into his big brothers magic. Sora had better access and use of his own magic, but Noctis had more raw magic running through him. It was why he was the Chosen King, why it had to be him who would be King, Sora would only ever be last choice and that was fine with him. he would only wear the Ring until he could pass it to Noctis and his ancestors had agreed to that, giving him full access to the Rings' powers until that opportunity came. It had taken his Dad speaking up for him, oh it had hurt to hear him, and surprisingly, the Mystic had agreed to his using the Ring and so the rest had fallen into line.

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Ardyn raised the blade, ready to end her life, only to stagger back as familiar magic slammed into him. he looked over and stared in surprise. So the boy had survived the fall of Insomnia and even been accepted by the Ring!

"You won't touch them!" Sora Lucis Caelum snarled at him, the Ring glowing on his fingers and an incomplete Armiger swirling around him defensively.

Oh, this was going to be…once again something slammed into him, the sky becoming the sea as he was thrown high into the air, the sound of an Astrals' voice ringing in his ears. Leviathan, lovely.

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Noctis lay in the rubble, unable to move, and too shocked to do much as Leviathan sent the Chancellor flying far out to see. He struggled to lift his head and then there was the sound of someone warping, an elixir being broken over him. he blinked and there was Sora leaning over him, tears in his eyes as he pulled Noctis into a hug. He was alive! Sora was alive! And he needed to move…he finally managed to lift his arms and hug his little brother back, feeling the missed sensation of another's magic so close to him. "Sora," he managed to croak out.

"I'm here, I've got you Noct."

"Noctis!" Luna staggered over to them, and Sora broke an elixir over her too. "Leviathan," she gasped and they all looked up to see the mighty Astral looming over them.

The water rose up, and Noctis struggled to stand, Sora pulling him up, and then he saw the Ring on his baby brothers' finger. "Sora…"

"Huh?" he blinked and looked down. "Oh, sorry, had to keep it from Glauca, who was actually Drautos." With that Sora slipped it off and held it out to him. "Dad and the Mystic talked the other Lucii into letting me use it until I could get it to you."

Noctis hesitantly took the Ring from his brother but he couldn't make himself put it on, not just yet. At the moment, they had a temperamental Astral to deal with and a city to hopefully save from complete destruction.

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"Prompto!"

He managed to lift his head at the sound of the familiar voice though he didn't know why he bothered; it was never real, just more games for Ardyn's amusement. But then warm hands were cradling his face and he forced his eyes open to see Sora before him, it was another trick, it had to be.

"You're going to be okay," the not-Sora promised. "In here!" he yelled out of the cell. "I'm going to get you out of that in a second."

The hands vanished and Prompto closed his eyes, waiting for the taunting and pain…only to find himself falling. He was caught before he hit the ground and then he felt the surge of healing magic as a hi-potion was broken over him. What?

"Prom? Come on, talk to me."

Familiar arms cradled him close, and he couldn't help curling into the solid body. Was it possibly real? None of the illusions had been so right or lasted so long. "Sssora?"

He heard a choked off sob, the arms tightening around him. "It's me, I've got you, I love you," Sora whispered over and over, and Prompto finally dared to look up at him, to take in the familiar features and believe.

And then there were shouts of joy as the others joined them, Noctis begging his forgiveness but there was nothing to forgive. He understood now that Noctis hadn't meant to push him from the train, it had all been Ardyn's game with illusions. Lunafreya smiled at him and took his hands, the Oracles healing magic pouring into his broken body.

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As soon as the others entered the room, Sora grabbed Prompto's hand, pulling him aside. He carefully pulled back the sleeve of the borrowed coat to reveal the barcode literally branded into pale skin.

"I'm sorry," Prompto whispered.

"For what?" he asked. "Not telling me? I get the feeling you didn't know either."

Prompto shook his head. "I didn't, I swear. But…I knew it wasn't normal and I knew I was a Niff."

"And I don't care. I do care if you're okay with all this. You're going to need time to deal with whatever you've learnt and once we have the Crystal back, if you want to find out more than I'll help. Okay?" he leant in and kissed Prompto, their first kiss since being reunited in the Keep. "This doesn't change anything for me and as soon as we're out of here, I'm asking Luna to perform the ceremony as Oracle."

"Really?" Prompto stared at him with wide eyes and Sora realised that in the nine months since Insomnia had fallen…he'd grown. He was now slightly taller than his fiancé.

"That is, if you still want to?"

"Yeah, I do," Prompto grinned.

"Come on, before Noct gets into trouble," Sora grinned back, so they re-joined the others, still holding hands.

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Ignis watched as Luna performed the ceremony. What should have been joyous was now sombre as they stood together on the deck of the boat taking them back to Lucis. Luna finished her part, leaving Sora and Prompto to kiss, finishing the wedding ceremony. Noctis… he would have cheered so loudly for them, would be so happy to have Prompto as his new brother. Instead he was entombed in that blasted Crystal and they had no way of knowing when…if…he would be returned. Lunafreya said he would be, that the Prophecy had to be fulfilled, but it gave no timeline. The nights had been lengthening for months already, how much worse would it become before he returned?

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Nyx wished they'd gone with the group to Niflheim. He didn't know how, but maybe they could have done something to save their new King. Despite some people calling for it, claiming Noctis would never return, Sora was firmly denying all attempts to name him King. He would accept the title of Regent only; he would lead them in Noctis' place until the Chosen King returned.

As the nights lengthened, he was relieved to find more of the Glaive had survived and were loyal, the Kings of old gifting their magic to allow them to defend people. Some, like him and Libertus, had direct access via Sora. Noctis' Retainers still had their magic, proving that Noctis still lived.

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He turned the ancient pages with the utmost care, worried the book would disintegrate in his hands. That so many treasure from Solheim had survived, locked away deep beneath Costlemark Tower and Steyliff Grove was a miracle, especially with the way the Empire had been investigating the sites. The powerful daemons that lurked within were a good deterrent but he had persevered, even though he knew the others would kill him for facing such fiends alone. After all, the Ring was with Noctis where it belonged, leaving him without its powerful magics and with only his own to fall back on in a fight. He thought Luna might know what he was doing but she had said nothing.

Keeping secrets from his husband was not something he enjoyed, but it was necessary. Noctis was needed and necessary while he was never meant to be born. Prompto wasn't the only test tube baby, the only Niff experiment. How they'd gotten Dad's blood to play around with not even Cor knew but when he'd seen the obvious Lucis Caelum child in the lab, he hadn't hesitated to take him as well as Prompto. Was that why they had clicked so well right from the start? Had they subconsciously recognised each other from when they were children? He'd been three and Prompto five after all when Cor brought them to Insomnia, old enough that maybe they had remembered. Was it kinder that he'd been thought of as a bastard all his life? With the Council around, yes. He had no clue who his mother was or if he even had one, most of his features could be easily traced to various Lucis Caelum ancestors after all. Was he like Prompto, an altered clone of the original?

He shook it off, there was no point dwelling and with Besithia dead there was no way of finding out the truth, not when Prompto and Aranea had done such a good job of destroying the Facility they'd been 'made' in. No, his sole focus was finding a way to bring Noctis back while life still existed on the planet…and to keep him alive despite Bahamut's stupid prophecy. There were no answers in the modern world, so he sought out the knowledge of the ancients, of Solheim.

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Prompto lay in the bed of the apartment they all shared, not that they were ever really all in it at the same time. With Noct gone, they'd kind of scattered to help people as best they could. Luna remained in Lestallum to be a centrally placed healer; her skills needed more than ever. Sora too was found usually found close by, no one too willing to risk the sole remaining Lucis Caelum even though Noctis still lived, but he did still travel. The Glaive travelled all over, although both Royals usually had at least one of them nearby as a guard. He stayed close as much as he could, hating being away from his husband, but hunters were needed all over the continent and those with magic were especially valuable.

He rolled over and pressed a kiss to a pale shoulder, spotting a new scar. He hated knowing Sora had gotten hurt while he wasn't there, but the Prince Regent refused to remain safely in Lestallum all the time. Lucis Caelum were known as one-man armies for a reason, Ring or no Ring and Sora could take out daemons alone that it would take a group of ten Glaives to handle.

Sora rolled over, smiling at him, and Prompto smiled back. Without Sora, he wouldn't have any reason to smile anymore. If anything happened to him…his depressing thoughts halted when Sora kissed him, a hand slipping under the waistband of his pants. It wasn't often they were alone for any length of time and it had been ages so he began wriggling out of his sleepwear even as Sora did the same. Once Ardyn and the Scourge were gone, they were going on at least a six-month honeymoon!

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Sora knelt on the cold stone, ready and yet all he wanted was to be back in Lestallum and in bed with Prompto. He knew that what he was about to do would likely kill him and he hated knowing he would cause that pain to Prompto. But he had found no other way, even this he wasn't positive about. He'd never known her name, despite seeing depictions of her around the Citadel and in the oldest texts. Before the Astrals, there had been Etro, goddess of Death and patron of the line that became his family. It was only after the Mystic that Bahamut had become the patron Astral of the Lucis Caelum. There was no mention of her anywhere that he could find after that time so he had no way of knowing if she was still around, the Empire had 'killed' Shiva after all so even such beings could be killed. But who else could he call upon for aide?

Sora lit the candles on the alter beneath Steyliff Grove and begin reciting the prayer he had found. Over and over he spoke the words, feeding his magic into the bowl of water, until his eyes slowly drifted shut, body slumping forward in sleep before slowly fading away.

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He looked up, surprised to feel that realm stirring after so long. How very interesting. He had thought she had become forgotten after so long, or had he lost track of time for that dimension and it had been less years than he thought? Either way, the petitioner would not find the one they sought. Normally, he'd ignore it, but something about the plea had him standing from his Throne, vanishing to her realm.

He found a young man collapsed on the stone floor, deeply asleep. He was attractive, fit, and magically powerful, marked by death magics even…how interesting. He walked to the empty throne and perched on the arm rest before waking the mortal.

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Sora woke slowly, feeling completely relaxed and safe. He pushed himself up and looked around curiously, unafraid even when he recognised nothing. If he was thinking clearly, he'd realise there was something wrong with that, but he was currently unable to recognise that fact, the magic of the realm working on his mind and emotions. He saw a black throne made of a stone he didn't recognise but instead of the woman he expected to see seated there, a man was perched on one arm. Well, young adult maybe? He thought they looked about the same age.

"Hello," the man greeted, and Sora smiled.

"Hello," he offered in return. "You're not Etro, are you?"

The man chuckled, "no, I can't say that I am. Unfortunately, that dear lady is long gone. I'm surprised you've even heard of her."

"I found some ancient texts from Solheim," he found himself explaining everything to the stranger with very little prompting.

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Death listened to the young mans' explanation and felt only sympathy for the plight of his World. It took only a little magic to 'see' what was to happen and he felt rage at the Astrals, especially Bahamut. "What would you give to spare your World and brother?"

"Anything, except another's life," was the prompt answer.

He found this young man reminded him a lot of himself so long ago. He walked towards him and took his hand, getting a closer feel for his soul. "Very well Prince Sora Lucis Caelum, I will make you a deal."

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Prompto opened the door and sighed in disappointment when he realised no one had been in the apartment for a few days. He dumped his gear and headed for the shower only to pause as something caught his eye. He went to the table and picked up the envelope with his name on it, a feeling of dread growing. He ripped it open to find a letter from his husband, reading it quickly, legs giving way as he did. He collapsed into the chair and read the letter again, slowly. He bit his lip, fighting tears, before he was up, grabbing his dropped pack as he rushed out the door. He'd find him, he had to!

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Sora stared at Death, the strange feelings from before fading and he realised something had been done to ensure he spoke the truth without even trying to lie, but why would he when he was looking for help? He had known he would probably die but the thought of being totally forgotten, of being bound to Death forever… Would Prompto wake up married to someone else or simply forget he'd ever been married? Would everyone think Luna or Nyx carried the Ring to Noctis? "They'll win?"

"Yes."

"Agreed," he whispered, closing his eyes, a single tear falling for his brother and husband. He felt a hand touch his chest and then he felt his heart stop, body trying to breath for a second as everything faded away.

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Prompto stopped the truck and shook his head. Where was he going? He didn't notice as a crumpled letter on the seat beside him faded away, even as the ring on his finger did the same. Hundreds of text messages deleted themselves from his phone along with one contact even as every photo on there and his camera changed, one figure fading away. All across Eos, memories, paperwork, pictures, everything changed as the Prince Regent was erased from their World.

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Drifting in the Crystal, Noctis struggled to wake, knowing something was deeply wrong. Sora! He had to get to his brother. But Bahamut's power was too much for him yet and so he continued to sleep and learn for another eight years. As soon as he woke on Angelgard, all memory of his beloved little brother faded from his mind, the imprint of him taken by the Ring while he wore it to keep it safe was erased, even the Lucii forgot about the younger Prince.

Noctis woke to a world that had only known two years of perpetual night rather than eight, thanks to Sora's sacrifice the nights had grown longer far slower. He found his friends waiting for him with Luna, Cor, and the Glaive, none of them remembering the person who should have stood by his side as he walked up the steps to the Citadel. He didn't understand the sad look Shiva gave him when she appeared to deal with Ifrit or the glance at Prompto before she faded away.

He did wonder, when he woke gasping on the Throne, his brothers around him, if her look had anything to do with him somehow surviving the prophecy….or the man he had briefly seen, who almost looked like he could be family, who had taken his hand before he could shatter and shoved him back into the world of the living.

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He...he felt so strange…where was he…what was happening…who was he? He…he was scared.

"Shh, just relax, it'll pass in a few moments," a voice spoke gently to him, and he found himself relaxing. "That's it Sora, just breath."

Sora…he was Sora. Sora Lucis Caelum. What had happened…the ritual, the throne, the man…he turned to see him but they were somewhere else now. "Am…am I…dead?" he asked shakily and Death nodded. "Oh," he swallowed. Prompto…Noct…everyone…he'd left Prom a letter at least and…he remembered the full deal, Prompto wouldn't remember him anymore. "What happens now?"

"Welcome to the Nexus, Sora, your new home. My name is Harry and for now? You adjust, you've been through a lot."

Sora nodded and took the hand offered to him, choosing to trust the being he had literally sold his soul to for eternity.

End of the prequel