He swirled in darkness. Nothing but an empty screaming sound all around him. He floated in the endless abyss. Wait wasn't he just with Luna in the afterlife? Didn't he defeat Ardyn? Did he return the light to the world? His deep blue eyes fluttered open gently to darkness. Where was he? He stretched out from the fetal position he was in. He looked around at the void he was in. He didn't seem to need to breathe. He looked to his hands and turned them over a few times. Something seemed different. He was neither cold nor warm. His hair was flowing gently as if he were in water but when he took a breath no water flooded his lungs.

"Oh, come on!" he exclaimed to the darkness. His voice had a slight echo and it was a slightly higher pitched than he was used to. He blinked in surprise and brought his hands to his face. No facial hair. He felt his hair. It was shorter. His face shape was different. Almost, younger? Nah, it couldn't be, he thought. He looked down at his body. It seemed to be illuminated. Many scars he sustained over the time in The World of Ruin were gone. His frame was different was well. He definitely was younger! What was going on!?

His body began to reorientate itself so he looked as if he was standing. He looked around. Again, there was still nothing but darkness. Noctis Lucis Caelum squinted his eyes. Did he actually fail? The images and memories of the afterlife fading into nothing He began to walk randomly for he had no idea what to do. As he walked. He began to hear voices. He didn't recognize them. What they were saying were incoherent, but he headed in the direction where it got louder. He walked for what seemed forever. His body though never tired. How long was he walking? It seemed like an eternity. He sat down crossed legged and put his head in his hands. Was this what was truly left? The voices ceased echoing. Were they just echoes of the past? Or of a future that never came

"Oh, king of Kings. The world is still in need of you." An echoing voice called to him. It was soft and sweet sounding and echoed from a distance. This time the direction was clear. He stood and headed in that direction.

Slowly, but without fail a shimmer of a light emerged in the pitch-black darkness. It was a way off still but as he continued on it grew bigger and brighter ever so slowly. The echoing voices returned as he reached the shining light. It looked like a door. But it wasnt any door. It was the door to the throne room in the Citadel.

His hand rested upon the door knob. Why was he hesitating? Lunas face flashed in his mind and he shook it away. That was the past. She was gone. He turned the handle downwards and pushed the double doors open. At first there was just a bright white light. So bright he had to shield his eyes from it.

Hello? he called. Something then hit his feet. He looked down to see water trickling in from the open door way. It tickled his bare feet some but soon the amount of water began to grow in volume. It grew in volume quickly too and caused him to stumble back. Soon he was waste deep and struggled against it. The door began to get further and further away. Finally, the water began to pull in the other direction. He went along with it as it pulled him quickly through the door.

Its finally time a voice called among the echoes. The doors slammed shut.

Noctis was suddenly submerged in water. He couldnt breathe. White sparkling crystals surrounded is naked form. His Princes Fatigues appearing on his body. He didnt know how deep he was but he saw sunlight as he looked up. He frantically swam to the top. His breathe wouldnt hold out though. He lost all fight in his body and began to float downwards. He closed his eyes as he started to lose consciousness.

Strong arms reached in and grabbed on his torso. The savior swam holding him in one arm easily and resurfaced.

"I...Is is really him?" a familiar voice called out. The voice was a bit high pitched for a males voice but it was filled with worry.

"Well, it certainly looks like his majesty..." Another voice called. This voice familiar to him too. He couldnt place either voice. The strong arms dropped him gently onto the warm sand beach.

"It's gotta be. No one else would make an entrance like that." A third rougher voice called. It was out of breath and coughed slightly. No doubt this was the one that had saved him from the sea. It took a minute but Noctis groaned and opened his deep blue eyes to see his three best friends and brothers standing over him. All three smiling.