Disclaimer: not mine

Time Skips ahead!

I have now been without power for an hour. Please don't let this be a long blackout!

Chapter 4

Harry James Lucis Caelum walked quickly down the hall, fighting the urge to run. They were both back! It had been a while since both Ardyn and Somnus had been in the city at the same time, not since Harry had been officially adopted into the family two years earlier. For the first time in his memory, he had a Dad and an Uncle who actually cared.

He grinned as Aera fell into step with him, obviously eager to see his Dad again. He was looking forward to when they'd get married.

"Happy Birthday Harry," she kissed his cheek and he grinned.

"Thanks," his birthday was why they'd come home. He was turning twenty! Even if everyone teased that he didn't look it, looking too young for his age. He knew Wizards aged a bit slower due to magic but this seemed more than that. He still looked maybe sixteen at most, though at least he'd shot up in height and put on weight and a healthy muscle mass. He'd never be as tall as his Dad but he was okay with that.

They walked out into the main courtyard right as Ardyn and Gilgamesh rode in and Harry grinned.

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Ardyn smiled tiredly as he saw the two who were waiting for them. Aera looked as beautiful as ever, fresh and bright in white. Harry stood beside her, dressed in black and green, colours Ara had picked for him since apparently they matched his eyes wonderfully. He had stayed out of that conversation.

Harry was officially twenty years old and it was hard to believe it had been seven years since his son had saved his life. His age was a guess but…he didn't look twenty. He had to be at least that age since he had been twelve when he had transformed the first time and while he hadn't kept track of the days, Harry was sure it had been at least a year. It worried him, why did he seem to still be a teenager? Thankfully he'd put on height and muscle but still…he had checked Harry over many times and he could find nothing wrong with him. there had been something about the scar on his face the first time he had checked him in the forest, but whatever it had been had already been mostly faded then and it had completely faded away within a few months of Harry living with them, even the scar was barely visible now. All he could think of was that his aging was tied to his animal form, that maybe whatever it was lived longer than a human and matured slower and that had transferred over even to his human form.

He dismounted and Harry moved forward, letting Ardyn pull him into a hug. "Missed you," he whispered and Ardyn smiled.

"I have missed you too," he promised, holding Harry at arm's length to look him over and Harry allowed it with a put upon sigh and Ardyn laughed before pushing him towards Gil. Next to his old friend, Harry still looked tiny, it was an amusing sight. He wasn't that short, though he was the shortest of the three of them. He had the typical Lucis Caelum build, his body built more for speed and agility than sheer strength. Then again, Gil made even Ardyn feel small.

He turned and smiled as Aera hugged him, kissing her tenderly. "I have missed you so much," he whispered and she laughed.

"Not so much you would come home for my birthday," she teased.

"Has Somnus arrived yet?"

"No, but he has been sighted, he should be here within an hour or two."

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Somnus watched as Harry smiled and chatted with anyone who approached. He had changed a lot since those first days when he had shied away from everyone except Ardyn. For his twentieth birthday they were throwing a massive party, filled with all of the noble families. He was a little worried by some of the looks his nephew received and he knew it was because of his looks, there were whispers because he didn't seem to be aging properly.

They had expected to have received some enquiries from the other families by now as to whether they would arrange a marriage for Harry but there had been nothing. Not that Ardyn would accept any of them, for once they were all in agreement, Harry would be allowed to choose his own partner when he was ready. Which didn't seem to be any time soon, Harry had yet to show interest in anyone.

Somnus smiled when he saw Ardyn and Aera together on the dance floor, it was obvious they were in love. There were some though who were unsure of their relationship, Aera was the chosen Oracle and people seemed to think that gave them a say in her private life as well. It was why they had yet to announce their engagement or get married.

It was good to be home, to be in the safety of the city and Citadel. The Scourge was getting worse, spreading faster…too fast for Ardyn to keep up with in any way. He knew his brother did not agree with his methods but the outbreaks had to be controlled someway and Ardyn could not heal everyone.

They had kept Aera and Harry as sheltered from such things as they could but how much longer could that last? Harry would need gain real experience soon, they had coddled him because of his childhood but that too was beginning to make people talk. He would have to talk with Ardyn about taking Harry with him and Gil on their next journey. He could take him but he didn't think Harry was ready to be exposed to so much death just yet. No, better he help keep Ardyn safe on the road, let him see death in smaller amounts to become accustomed to such things.

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Gilgamesh stood across from Harry, both bare foot in the sand, blades held steady as they watched each other. After a week of arguing, Ardyn had finally agreed that Harry would go with them on their next trip for Ardyn to heal people. Before that happened, he wanted to personally test Harry's skills.

He nodded and golden crystals shattered around them, calling up Harry's Armiger. He easily spotted the sword Harry had arrived with but there was also another sword, larger and heavier, that Gilgamesh had gifted him when he was eighteen. Along with the two swords was a lance, two pairs of daggers, a crossbow (Harry's accuracy with it was kind of scary) and a shield.

Having the weapons was not enough, he had to be able to wield them all confidently. Ardyn had finally agreed to Harry coming with them for a reason, if Harry could travel with his Father and defend him, then Gil could go with Somnus. Ardyn hated that Somnus only had soldiers at his side. he may hate how his brother tried to combat the Scourge but he loved Somnus and never wanted him to be harmed.

At an unseen signal, they moved.

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Harry went through his rooms, looking for anything he might have forgotten to pack. The Armiger definitely made packing easier, allowing him to take a lot more gear than he otherwise would have, not to mention his ability to shrink and expand things. He'd seen older students do it at school and had worked out how to do it himself. He still hadn't used his wand, using willpower and instinct to use his magic, it worked for him.

He was excited but also nervous. He hadn't left the city since his Dad had brought him to it seven years ago. He'd studied all the maps they had to get an idea of where they'd be going. If everything went to plan, they'd be gone for around six months. He felt bad about leaving Aera when she'd done so much for him but Somnus would be escorting her home for a while, she had Oracle duties to attend to elsewhere, so it actually worked out well for timing.

He'd spent years training his magic and body, but he'd never been in a real fight, not since the Basilisk. They didn't go looking for trouble but Harry knew that didn't mean anything, otherwise they wouldn't have met. Bandits didn't care that his Dad was a healer, Gil had spoken of the attacks on the road. Could he…could he kill someone to protect his family? He'd spent twelve years being told killing was wrong…but nothing had been said when he killed Quirrell, the Headmaster had said the man was dead as soon as he was possessed. Soldiers killed in war too and that was accepted. Killing was an accepted part of life on Eos, it happened and you dealt with it. He didn't like the idea of killing….but he would do what he had to, to keep his Dad safe.

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Ardyn smiled as he saw Harry's Chocobo attempting to preen his hair like he was her chick, his son allowing it, having given up trying to stop her after the second night. Even ties back, there was something wild about his hair that just drew the birds to him. Maybe they thought he was a rare black Chocobo chick.

He was not looking forward to exposing Harry to those inflicted with the Scourge but he could not remain sheltered in the city for his whole life. It also meant that Harry would notice how exhausting healing was…how he took their infection into his own body. He had kept that from everyone except Gil. He had only begun feeling ill in the last year and he did wonder how long he could continue to heal others before it killed him….or he succumbed to the same illness he took from them.

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Harry stumbled from the hut, fighting the need to throw up, feeling Gil steady him as he sucked in deep breaths of fresh air. He had seen daemons before meeting his Dad but…he had never seen a person infected by the Scourge before.

"Breath little one," Gil encouraged, rubbing his back.

"Is…is it always like that?" he asked shakily.

"Sometimes it is better, other times it is worse," he admitted.

Harry nodded slowly, he had never seen or heard of anything like it back on Earth. Then again, he hadn't heard much about magical diseases at school. He could sort of understand why Uncle Somnus did what he did, if his Dad couldn't get to them in time then better to die then become a daemon, but…burning people alive made him feel sick, he'd read about the witch burnings. He'd read everything there was on the plague, talked with Aera as Oracle too, it was spreading even with the precautions people were encouraged to take.

He looked up as his Dad left the cottage, seeing the lines of exhaustion on his face and he forced himself to straighten, slipping beside him so his Dad could lean on him. Ardyn glanced down at him, smiling slightly, but he did lean some of his weight on him. they got back to the inn and he got him into the bath house out back, no longer embarrassed about it, helping him clean up while Gil gathered clean clothing and food.

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Harry brought his hand up, crossbow appearing, firing immediately, catching the bandit in the throat but he didn't watch him fall, forcing himself to fire again. He could throw up when the fight was done and they were safe. He called Gryffindor's Sword to hand as they got in closer, all he had to do was nick them with the blade but that would lead to a painful death of minutes so he aimed for killing blows, not liking the idea of leaving someone to suffer, not when he remembered the burning agony of basilisk venom. He sensed something coming at his back, a barrier spell flashing into existence behind him.

It was almost easy to fall into the pattern of the fight, magic flaring, weapons fading in and out, bale to hear his Dad and Gilgamesh as they fought as well. Harry hissed as he felt the sharp pain of something slicing through his magically enforced clothing into the skin below. He sent a burst of magic to the site even as he turned to take out his attacker.

Harry slumped to the ground as he realised the fight was over, hair plastered with sweat as he panted.

"Harry!"

"I'm okay Dad," he called back, tugging off his vest and then his shirt to look at the injury and then his Dad was there, healing magic flowing from him and into Harry. "Dad no, I can do it," he tried to argue but sighed when he was ignored, watching Gil move among the dead, checking they were definitely dead.

That night he slept between them as they took turns soothing his nightmares.

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Harry careful drew out the runes in the soft soil while his Dad watched him work. Once that was done he shaped the magic to power them, grinning as the clearing lit up with the faint blue/white glow of a temporary 'Haven', that would keep them safe from daemons for the night.

He watched as his Dad checked his work and then Ardyn grinned. "Very well done Harry, as good as anything I've ever managed." High praise and he grinned back. It was one thing making them under controlled circumstances in the training yard but another to do it in the middle of nowhere in damp soil.

He wished they could make them permanent, to give travellers a safe place to sleep when travelling, but the longest lasting one had been made by Aera and it had lasted almost three months. Somnus and his army had to rely on their numbers at night to keep them safe but the average person couldn't.

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Harry smiled at the boy and knelt down. "Hello, I'm Harry. What's your name?"

"Micah," he answered after a minute.

"Did you hurt your arm Micah?" he asked and the boy nodded. "Can I look?"

Micah stared at him with wide chocolate brown eyes, but eventually offered his arm and Harry carefully rolled his tattered sleeve up, wincing in sympathy. "I broke my arm when I was little, it hurts a lot," he told him even as he let his hand rest over the break, magic sinking into the skin, it was a clean break right through the bone. He gently coaxed the bone into healing, feeling the two ends mend back together, the swelling and bruising fading away. He smiled. "There you go, all better," he ruffled wild brown hair and the boy stared down at his arm before hugging him and then running off.

Harry stood up and stretched, looking around but his Dad was still in the small house. He could heal, but he couldn't heal the Scourge, he was best with injuries. He sent his magic into the person to speed up their natural healing, his Dad didn't heal like that.

Tomorrow they were starting the trip back home and he was looking forward to it.

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Harry paused in the hallway, hearing raised voices in the room and he winced slightly. He hated it when they fought, it brought back memories he'd rather forget. Every time they came home, if Somnus around, they fought. He could understand both sides of view, though he would find a more humane method than Somnus used, but he hated that it was pulling them further and further apart.

At least Somnus had Gilgamesh with him now to protect and guide him. After three journeys, they had agreed that Harry and Ardyn could keep themselves safe on the road. In some ways, travelling had become more peaceful than being at home. On the road it was just them and their Chocobos, no politics or worries outside of finding somewhere to camp and avoiding bandits.

They were home because the tower for the Crystal had finally been completed. Aera was there as well to offer the gods blessing to everything. Personally, Harry didn't like the Crystal, he'd seen it once and it gave him a bad feeling. People had begun speaking of how the gods would chose a King to rule them all and protect the people and he knew his Dad and Uncle were the two spoken of most for the role of King. Would that make him a Prince? Like being the Boy-Who-Lived hadn't been bad enough.

His growing worry for his Dad wasn't helping matters either. He was sick, Harry couldn't avoid that fact, not when he was the one to look after him on the road. But Ardyn refused to speak of it to him or anyone else, even Aera. His method of healing the Scourge was badly affecting him. He'd seen the veins of black, the flicker of colour in his eyes, and it terrified him. he never said anything though because there was nothing anyone could do. He gave what magical help he could and he handled as much of the Healing in towns that he could, leaving only those infected with the Scourge to his Dad, letting him save his strength.

The first time he'd been called Little Healer had been interesting and it'd made his Dad laugh at least. It wasn't his fault he still looked like a teenager and was maybe 5'10". He accepted the title because of his Dad's reaction, anything to lighten his load.

Maybe, becoming King, finally marrying Aera, could heal his Dad? The Crystal had improved conditions on Eos, surely it could heal Ardyn and the rest of the world.

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Ardyn leant against the wall, breathing heavily, not here! Not in the Citadel where anyone could see. He felt sure hands grasp his shoulders and tensed, feeling the rage boil up.

"It's me, Dad," Harry whispered and the rage receded. He didn't know why, but his son could calm him almost as much as Aera could. He felt Harry moved to slip under his arm and then he began walking slowly, supporting Ardyn, and he felt Harry's magic wrap around them, keeping people from noticing them.

It wasn't fair on Harry, he was young, he shouldn't have to care for him. he pitied the fool who dared say that to his face, Harry had a temper and while usually slow to rouse he was fiercely protective of their family.

"Is he…right?" he mumbled and Harry slipped his robe off his shoulders, tipping Ardyn's head up to look at his face and he wondered what colour his eyes were.

"Who?" Harry asked gently as he began stripping Ardyn of his clothing, some of which was stained black and would need to be burned.

"Somnus."

"Burning bodies is one thing, burning the living…many of whom show no signs of infection…it's wrong Dad. For all we know, burning them just puts more of the Scourge into the air and soil," Harry offered as he worked, getting Ardyn into the bath and he sighed as the heat soaked into aching muscles.

"I hate burdening you," he closed his eyes so missed the look of pain in his sons eyes.

"You aren't," Harry swore firmly before helping him wash. "Gil cornered me again this morning, he knows something's wrong. They all do. Aera's really worried. Even Uncle Somnus is, even if he is an arse about it."

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Somnus paused, watching Harry as he danced across the training ground. He had come so far from the scrawny child Ardyn and Gilgamesh had brought home so many years ago. He was no longer innocent and unsure but was now a confident young man.

He knew it would distress his nephew to know his name too had been spoken of as a candidate for the Crystals' Chosen King. He didn't even like the idea that one of them being crowned would make him a Prince. He never sought recognition for himself, despite the fact the people loved him. Harry would make a good King, he was smart, magically powerful and he cared about the people. He couldn't cure the Scourge but he could heal almost anything else and unlike Ardyn who loathed battle, harry was an excellent fighter.

It hurt to admit it but…he was jealous of his brother and nephew. How horrible a person did that make him? and yet…he really wanted to be the one the Crystal chose.

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"Ardyn…Ardyn…" Aera laughed and Ardyn smiled up at her, his head in her lap. "Oh, Ardyn. You can't expect me to believe that."

"Oh, but I do! You have my word," he moved to sit up, facing her.

"Well, in that case…"

He sighed tiredly. It was getting harder and harder to hide his deteriorating condition and he prayed the gods made their choice soon.

"You look exhausted, my love. Are you all right?" she asked in concern, cupping his cheek in her hand and he leant into her soothing touch.

"I am," he assured her. "The gods blessed me with a power and purpose: to cure people of what ails them. I must see their will be done. Harry is a great help in easing the burden, he heals all those he can to free my powers for those inflicted with the Scourge."

"Your devotion shall not go unnoticed. The gods will doubtless be watching over you. Just as I shall be watching over you every step of the way," she promised, leaning in to give him a brief kiss. "It seems to me the cure for your exhaustion is comprised of two things, one of which is rest," she smiled cheekily and he chuckled.

"And the other…"

"Is me," she laughed and he joined her.

"Oh, Aera. Pray be with me always," he whispered.

"Mm." she smiled and they leant back against the tree together. "I wish you were not leaving tomorrow."

"You will hardly miss me my dear, what with your prayers to the Crystal. I will have Harry with me as always."

"He has grown so much from that timid boy you brought home thirteen years ago, even if he does not look it."

"Perhaps the gods will choose him," Ardyn suggested and she smiled.

"Perhaps, though I would not wish him burdened so when he has a Father and Uncle much older and wiser," she teased and he laughed.

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Harry dismounted and patted Fluffy's side, stroking her feathers. The name had been a joke when she was a chick, partly for a certain Cerebus back on Earth and partially because she had looked like a ball of fluff. He glanced around and frowned…it looked…familiar. "Where are we Dad?"

"You recognise it then?"

Harry nodded and then swallowed. "Is that…"

"The forest where you found me. Can't say it's changed much."

"Yeah, still creepy looking," Harry shook his head but then went to work securing the site for the night. Even after over a decade, he remembered what it had been like, living in there as an animal, a form he still couldn't take at will. He'd transformed twice in battle and then changed back to human once it was safe, thankfully with no witnesses left alive. His Dad didn't count.

"We will need to pass through it tomorrow."

"Joy," he sighed and began heating water for their meal, no one sane let Ardyn cook. The ate quietly and then settled down for the night, the Chocobos at their backs keeping out the chill.

In the morning they packed up and headed into the trees, following the river they had been ambushed at so long ago. They easily dealt with a stray Coeurl, both remembering facing the pack together all those years ago.

Harry paused, hearing something in the distance and his Dad stopped to look back.

"Harry?"

"There's something over there," he whispered, dismounting to go have a look. "Dad? There's some," he gasped as the world lurched around him, colours and sounds overwhelming, spinning…his world went suddenly dark.

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"Harry?" Ardyn yelled when his son suddenly cut off mid-sentence. He scrambled into the trees looking around but there was no sign of his son, no…he knelt down and picked up the ribbon. Aera had given it to Harry on his last birthday as a joke and he had worn it ever since to tie off his hair. "Harry!" He screamed but the forest remained eerily silent.

TBC…

So Ardyn is now 33, Somnus 30, and Harry 26 though he appears much younger.