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Prologue
Serah drops to the ground
" It's over... It is finally over , we won and saved this world. "
The sun raises and dawn comes...
The warmth of sunlight surrounds the dieing world , filled with ruins and the shadows of those that failed to survive. But mankind , resilient as always , rises to the task. There are talks. So many talks. About priorities, and infrastructure, and power, and clean running water. The scope of the what they must accomplish is staggering.
All , but for the dead king's retinue. The world bustles around them. The world they fought for , the world cruel gods asked the ultimate sacrifice to save. So much has to be done. They watch torn between grief and exhaustion. They've done enough. They have nothing left to give.
Noctis' retinue remember their king's last words " walk tall my friends " in a manner King Regis sent them on their journey many years ago. Gladiolus, Ignis and Prompto alongside Serah stay outside to fend off the daemons as Noctis ascends the throne. He calls the spirits of the kings of Lucis that attack him one by one, plunging the royal arms into Noctis's body until his soul is absorbed by the Ring of Lucii. Emerging in the realm between life and death. Lunafreya's spirit reveals Ardyn's true form while the royal arms emerge from Noctis's body to be taken up by the Lucii to attack Ardyn. Noctis delivers a final blow, finally putting Ardyn's soul to rest.
" Keep moving forward " the company thought as they stare into the distance of their ruined city.
" you are alive "
The company turns to a familiar voice behind them as Cor approaches them.
" Easy there " Cor responds as he approaches the group , then noticing the king missing.
" He is gone , I have failed him " Ignis responds with a hint of sadness in his voice. " we are hoping that he will return alive , Lucis is now without a leader. The people's wish is that he will return drive the darkness away and take the throne like his father before him. How will the people of the crown city will react to this news. I cannot... "
" It is not your fault , our king will or may return to us one day. As long as we hold on to our memories. For now lets return to the Kingsglaive Base Camp"
On the way back Serah passes out. Cor offers to take her while the other three support each other.
Cor lays Serah down on a futon then turning to the three glave members behind him " get so rest " and leaving them with a handful of potions and other curatives. Prompto , Ignis and Gladiolus has been through a lot but none had prepared them for this. They turn to see Serah being attended to surrounded by Cor , Monica , and a few glave members.
" all we can do now is to wait " Happy that one of their leaders is still alive but in a very weak state. " She will most likely remain that way for a while "
With the immediate priorities out of the way. The glaives talk of returning power , and clean running water back to the city. With most of the roads destroyed by war followed by the eternal darkness of the Starscourge. Most of the world's water has been tainted. It will take a while to clean up and the world to recover.
Ignis spends most of his time near Serah when not out on missions due to him being blind. Gladiolus makes frequent trips to Lestallum for supplies. Prompto frequented Wiz at the chocobo post. Wiz had turned the facility into a breeding facility to save the birds from extinction. There are so few left..Sania works on a way to get clean running water for the city after hearing about the news
By now the months are getting colder as winter approaches. Noctis' retainers are hardly ever seen together after the King's passing as it is the bond that kept everyone together... They like the apocalyptic world they now live in need time to heal as well.
Serah had remained comatose during this time she had been living in the world of dreams watched over by carbuncle. By now water and power is been restored to the city. Gladiolus had returned to Insomnia with a small group of engineers to begin rebuilding infrastructure. To them all that remains is Prompto and Serah who still remains lost to them , in a world between life and death the realm of sleep.
The first winter had been tough forcing the people at the crown city to bathe using cold water and use the meteorshards for heat.
Two weeks had passed , Serah lets out a low moan and begins to stir , signaling that she was coming to. Serah again awakens to Ignis..
" how are you feeling ? "
For a while Serah cannot bring herself to respond...
" Dizzy and sore , where are we "
" The Kingsglaive's base camp underground Insomnia "
" and my brother "
" He has passed... "
Serah had half raised herself when some hands pushed her back down.
" Don't try to move yet , I get you something to drink "
Ignis knew Serah will be bedridden for a while after hearing about it form Cor's experience working with Regis and Noctis stating the Royal Arms makes him feel groggy after using it for a long time. He nurses Serah back to health over the course of the next several weeks. Having Serah around had given him purpose , as his life had been built up around the royal family.
Serah on the other hand had gotten depressed. The war had taken everything from them and now burdened by the knowledge that she must one day ascend the throne as her name is Lucis Caelum sheltered for most of her life by her family till the war.
