He woke up in a sweat again. His hand lifted to his forehead. It felt wet. He had that dream again. He was in darkness and a voice calling out to him. a bight light and water? Every time the details of the dream would fade but the event itself always lingered. It replayed almost every night since he woke up on the beach of Galden Quay. There is friends, no his brothers met him with smiles. Three years passed since the light returned to the world. A lot happened in his absence, but he was sure his roll of The Chosen King had been fulfilled. Apparently it wasn't as he was called back to Eos.
He sighed and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Eyes still blurred with sleep he looked around. right. He was in Galden Quay still. The room was bare and basic and still smelled of paint. The guys were helping to rebuild the resort into a sort of colony for those who had fled Insomnia or who were exiled. The once Crown City was a nightmare now due to the so called "government" that had been formed from bureaucrats seeking to gain power. with no military or someone to lead the Glaive Insomnia was quickly taken over.
Noctis pulled on his combat boots and laced them quickly. He then stood and grabbed his black short sleeved leather jacket and pulled it on. Taking a quick look in the mirror he played with his hair. some how his age had regressed back to when he first left his father on the steps to the citadel all those years ago. The guys though, his retinue had kept aging. They were now thirteen years ahead of him. He looked and felt like a child with this body. He sighed again and opened the door to the hustle and bustle of the construction site. It's been about a month since he returned to the world of the living.
"Ah, Highness, you're awake. I dare say it's past noon." Ignis stated as approached Noctis handing him a cup of coffee. He never did regain his eye sight. The guilt still weighed on his heart. All three of his retainers had suffered so much because of him. No because of what he had to do. Noctis took the ceramic mug and downed the coffee as someone quickly came by and took it from him.
"So, what's plan for today?" Noctis asked. He leaned against the newly built counter of what would be the kitchen to The Mother of Pearl restaurant and peered at the blue prints for the resort and colony. the resort would remain in it's original location as the base had been left intact and was still solid stable. The Colony would be built along the road that led to the resort itself. Everything was being built all at once by many hopeful colonists and ex hunters. There were less and less monsters that needed to be hunted these days. Even fewer Daemons as well, so the hunters started looking for other work. Luckily many of them were capable in construction or engineering. Others helped by gathering supplies under the leadership of Prompto. Ignis, of course was leading the entire operation as Gladio was in charge of the labor. Then there was Noctis. Whos only abilities were in battle, and of course fishing. He was just going wear Ignis directed him to. Basically areas that needed extra labor.
"Hmm, well we have a batch of new comers due to arrive in an hour. you could greet them and show them around before bringing them to me." Ignis placed a thumb to his chin as he thought. Just then, some one familiar approached Ignis with a folder. It was Monica. A former Crownsguard officer who worked recon for Ignis in the once Crown City. Her abilities in reconnaissance were an asset.
"Ignis, I have something rather urgent to report." instead of reading the report to Ignis she handed him the folder. He quickly opened it and ran his hand along the pages. Noctis looked but all he was were small ridges and bumps. Brail? Monica also handed Noctis another report. This one was typed.
"This is indeed urgent. Are you sure?" Ignis replied as he closed the folder and set it down on top of a small pile on the counter. Noctis read the report he was given and his eyes widened at the information. There was no way!
"I am certain, I saw it with my own eyes. what's worse is the Senate did as well and apprehended her. Her life may be in danger. " Monica stated before turning to Noctis. "Your majesty, I urgently suggest the reformation of the Crownsguard and the Kingsglaive immediately. This could very well mean the beginning of something new and something important."
"But an oracle? but, there's no crystal! how can there be an oracle? Didn't I permanently get rid of the Starscourge? There's no crystal to appoint a new Oracle!" Noctis put the folder down as well but leaned against the counter putting his hands on his head. Was everything he did for nothing? Did Luna die for nothing? Did his dad, Cor and all those who were sacrificed die in vane?! A gentle hand placed itself on his shoulder. His head snapped up to see Prompto and Gladio standing there with their own folders.
"Perhaps we should all sit and discuss this highness." Ignis stated as he ran a hand through his hair. Noctis only nodded in agreement as the group headed for what looked like a large semi circular sitting area. Soft cushions covered wood framed seating. Prompto plopped down first and dangled his arms in-between his legs. The rest followed, as Noctis immediately leaned his elbows on his legs and put his head in his hands.
"This makes no sense!" H...How can there be a new Oracle!?" he cried out suddenly.
"Yeah, didn't the line of the Oracle end with Luna and Ravus?" Asked Prompto.
"It would seem not. unless..." Ignis trailed off.
"Unless what Iggy, spit it out." Gladio leaned back and looked at the clear blue ocean.
"Well, there have been rumors as of late in the Crown City of a crystal. Many people claim have had visions and dreams and those seem to experience producing magic of their own as well. Now, this confirmation of an Oracle." It quite unsettling." Monica briefed the four men.
"Wait, a crystal too? Didn't it disintegrate two years a go? and what of this Oracle? what did she do to 'confirm' her power as an oracle?" Gladio asked.
"Indeed it did" Ignis responded in kind. " Apparently, many saw her perform healing magic on a terminally ill elderly man. He was blind from a childhood illness, and also had disease that was eating away at his heart. Even though magic has become accessible to those with no connections to the crown no one with the ability to heal has ever been seen or discovered. until now."
"Another witness claims to have spoken with her and they claimed that she sees visions of a shining clear crystal in her dreams and while she's awake. She even claims to know where it's located and that the True Six must be awakened for the world to truly heal." Monica finished.
"What does that even mean!? True Six? a Shining clear crystal?" Noctis shook his head in disbelief. Was everything he grew up learning wrong?
"Looks like we won't know until we rescue her from the Citadel. Noct, reform the Crownsguard and the Kingsglaive. We all know they're all still out there waiting to return. We're waiting to return." Gladio leaned forward and made a fist. "Let's take back the Crown City and restore Lucis properly!"
"Hold on a moment Gladio." Ignis stated. " Something as important as retrieving this new Oracle should be handled delicately and covertly. Monica, is it safe to assume that there are Crownsguard or Glaive still active within the city?"
"Indeed, there are several. I could get a message to them." she replied.
" What does his highness think?" Ignis looked to Noctis who was still in shock with his head in his hands. He sighed heavily.
"Send the message to extract her and bring her here" Ignis interjected. It was clear the young King was in no shape to make these sorts of decisions. "In the meantime, Gladio get in touch with any Crownsguard outside the city. we'll start to reform them unofficially. Prompto, get in touch with Cindy at Hammerhead. we'll need her connections. Gladio nodded and left in a hurry. If there was a new crystal and Oracle the Senate CAN'T get to it first. They already have the Oracle. It's only a matter of time before they force her to tell them of it's location. Ignis eyed Prompto and gestured towards Noctis before standing.
"Roger that!" Prompto saluted. "but still, this is heavy. Are you gunna be ok, Noct?"
"Does it look like I'm going to be ok?! I just learned that the crystal and EVERYTHING about my life and what I did could have been for nothing? What the hell did I accomplish?! I didn't take back Insomnia or Lucis! I didn't save the world! All I did was kill my only living relative!" Noctis screamed.
"You returned light to the world. you defeated the Starscourge. Yeah, Ardyn may have been your ancestor but he was no longer human. He helped cultivate and make the daemons that's almost destroyed Eos. You saved this planet, Noct. All of this new stuff could be because it's a new age. an Age of light! the report did say the crystal was clear and bright. Totally, unlike the old crystal right?" Prompto leaned forward and looked down then to Noctis and finally to Ignis.
"This could be the beginning of the healing process of our world. At any rate, the group should be arriving shortly. Best go and greet them. Things will take time to get going and it will take some time before we hear back from the Glaives inside the city. Try not to worry too much. It won't help to think of what could be." Ignis said with his hand on his hip.
"Fine... where are the refugees coming in?" Noctis asked as he abruptly stood. Prompto followed suit.
"They should be arriving at the entrance to the colony, near where the sign used to be. I'll go with you. I've got nothing coming in for supplies for another three hours." Prompto offered. Noctis only nodded as the two headed for the entrance to the colony leaving Ignis and Monica to discuss other things.
chapter end