Update(s):

1. Fixed various grammatical errors.

2. Added Libertus to the story.

Chapter Two

Nox Fatum

"We throw our weapons to warp, to give us an anchor point," said Nyx Ulric to a group of trainee Kingsglaive. "With access to only a limited version of the royal magic, using an anchor point is key. It can be difficult and dangerous to try and warp without one. That being said, the anchor point can also be utilized in combat. A Warp Strike is a key combat maneuver for a Glaive. Just be sure not to expend too much of your reserves, or warping will be too much of a strain."

Nyx tossed a kukri into the air, caught it, and then tossed it across the training ground. It sped in front of the trainees and collided against the wooden fence on the other side of the circular arena. It bounced off, but before it could hit the ground, it was caught. Nyx Ulric had appeared and caught the knife in a cloud of electric blue magical mist. His blue eyes had temporarily changed to a shade of violet, and his veins had become visible on his neck. They faded back to normal as the mist disappeared.

The trainees were wowed.

"Simple enough," Nyx said. "Now it's your turn."

He stood behind the wooden fence surrounding the arena and observed the trainees, occasionally barking out instructions as they fumbled around. He thought back to when he had first tried warping. It had been an awkward experience, tossing a knife and trying his best to end up where it landed, often times with embarrassing results. Particularly when he didn't actually move anywhere and just stood there like a fool.

"Still training recruits, I see," came a voice from behind.

Nyx turned to see Libertus approaching him. His longtime friend appeared weary, stumbling as he leaned on a crutch, his leg recovering from a battle he and Nyx, and several other Kingsglaive, partook in against the empire. A battle that ended in an almost utter defeat, until the empire suddenly pulled back. A strategic retreat that simply showed they had the power to crush them at any time. A retreat Nyx was sure was used to leverage their treaty in their favor over Lucis.

"Libertus," Nyx said, patting the man on the shoulder as he stood beside him. "How's the leg?"

Libertus leaned harder on the crutch. "Don't even start, Nyx. I wounded myself for this city. This kingdom. The rest of the Glaive aren't as willing to do so much anymore."

"If you're here to talk me out of fighting for Lucis, you might as well stop now," Nyx replied. "I know my loyalties."

Libertus scoffed and took a step away. "You wanna talk about loyalty? How about the king? Not even loyal enough to his own people to protect them from Niflheim. I don't know if you've somehow forgotten, but Galahd was your home too, and it's gone now. Taken by the empire. Our families. Our friends. All gone."

"What choice do we have but to fight?" Nyx replied. "What else can we do? The empire is closing in nonetheless."

"Well, there's always the empire," Libertus muttered. "They'll be taking control of all this soon enough, anyway. There's no point in training newbies for a fight they can't hope to win."

"Why did you come here, Libertus?" Nyx asked. "To what? Shame my work?"

Libertus scoffed again. "I don't know why I came. You're hopeless, Nyx. The rest of the Glaive are talking about leaving, you know. I… wanted my oldest friend there with me."

Nyx turned away, focusing his attention on the recruits stumbling around.

"I have a duty to my king."

Libertus shook his head and started to walk away. "So be it, Ulric."

Nyx did not watch as his friend stumbled away. As he left, Libertus briefly looked back and shook his head.

"I'm surprised we managed to find more volunteers," came a female voice from behind Nyx. He turned and saw Monica Elshett approaching. The hardened middle aged Crownsguard commander gave a short bow.

"They had managed to make their way into the city about a week ago," Nyx said. "Before any of this treaty stuff happened."

"How are they taking it?" she asked.

"Hard to say. They aren't verbalizing their thoughts to me, but in their eyes… you can see the hesitation."

"And what about you?" Monica asked. "You have family outside of the city."

"Had," Nyx replied. "I can't pretend I'm happy about this, but I'll do what I'm hired to do."

"Good to hear," she replied.

"So why are you here?" Nyx asked. "I know you wanted to speak to me. What for?"

"I'm here at the behest of Cor. Tonight, at Caelum Via. He wants you there. He has sent out orders for the Kingsglaive and the Crownsguard. We need to be prepared."

"I can be there," Nyx replied.

"Good. The marshal trusts you, as does Captain Drautos. Is he here, by the way?"

"He is indeed," came Drautos's voice from nearby. He had been leaning on a pillar, but he pushed himself off as he approached the pair. "Thought I would take a brief moment to look at the new recruits, see what we had at our disposal."

"What do you think, captain?" Nyx asked.

Drautos looked at the stumbling group. "I think we need more time, but we haven't any."

"I know you were hoping they'd be ready for the signing ceremony, but one week isn't enough time to train them to fight this way. They're used to combat back home, but royal magic is a whole different game."

"Let's hope their combat training will be adequate then," Drautos said with a sigh.

"You're expecting it to get that bad?" Nyx asked.

"Best to prepare for anything," Drautos replied. "I wouldn't hold much faith to Niflheim."

Nyx gave a small nod. Faith in Niflheim wasn't strong all around, and really, why should it have been? After ten years of bloody and destructive warfare, the people were supposed to just accept they wished for peace? Nyx then sighed and ran a hand through his dark grey hair.

"Hell of a situation," he muttered.

Drautos nodded in agreement and pulled a set of keys out of his pocket. "Nyx. I need you to come with me. The emperor has entered the city, and I've received instructions to pick up an... important person. I want you with me."

"Remember, Nyx," Monica said as the pair began to walk away. "Caelum Via. Tonight."

"Got it," Nyx said. He turned to address the recruits. "That's enough for now. Take a break."

The exhausted men gave an appreciative series of thanks.

Nyx and Drautos left the training ground, walking through a tunnel leading to the outside of the structure. Parked in front of the building was the Star of Lucis. Drautos unlocked it with the key fob and stepped inside, inviting Nyx to do the same.

"Fancy car," Nyx said after he had buckled himself in and the captain had pulled the car away.

"It belongs to the prince," Drautos replied. "We got permission to use it to ferry guests to the hotel."

"And we are on our way to ferry one now?" Nyx asked.

"One Lunafreya Nox Fleuret," Drautos said. "Former princess of Tenebrae. We're taking her to the citadel. King Regis wants to speak to her."

"The king himself? What do you think he wants with her?" Nyx asked, while staring absently at the rush of civilians taking to the streets.

"I can't speak with certainty as I wasn't there to witness it myself," Drautos said, "but it has been some twelve years since she was last seen by the king. When King Regis and his son had last visited Tenebrae, it ended in a violent attack by the empire, who were trying to snuff him out. It's no surprise he'd want to see her again after all this time... and, I'm sure you're aware part of the terms of the treaty is the marriage of Prince Noctis and Lady Lunafreya."

"The hell is up with that?"

"They claim it's to help build relations between their nations, but..." Drautos trailed off.

"But what?" Nyx asked.

"But... the king believes it's for a different reason. The empire wants to have Noctis and Lunafreya in the same place. The supposed Chosen King and the Oracle herself... To claim their lives would be to end the prophecy before it's even properly begun."

Nyx was silent for a moment. "Heavy stuff."

"Indeed. Regardless. Our job has been made clear. We follow it to the tee. It's all we can really do at the end of the day."

"For hearth and home, then?" Nyx asked, using the familiar cry of the Kingsglaive.

"For hearth and home."

The Star of Lucis sped ahead, weaving through the increasingly busy traffic as the celebrations were beginning to come into full swing. Nyx returned his attention to absently watching the crowds bustling through the streets. He became lost in the sea of faces as his thoughts trailed off to the upcoming treaty signing. It had been several years since he lost his family when Niflheim first invaded Lucis, and the scars would never heal. This deal... a part of him felt betrayed as he thought of Niflheim ruling over the lands of Lucis, and yet... What choice did the king have? Would Nyx have chosen any differently if he were in position?

He reasoned that only time could tell what would happen next.

Evening, day before the signing

"How does it fit?" Ignis asked as he clasped the last button of the black suit fitted onto Noctis.

"It's a little tight," Noctis replied, with a grunt. "And more than a little stiff too. I feel ridiculous in this," he sighed. "Even your clothes look less fancy. Do I really have to wear this?"

"It's neither yours nor my choice, Noct," Ignis sighed. "It is for one night only. If you can't stand this, however will you bear to wear your wedding tuxedo?"

"I... don't even want to think about it right now," Noctis said, grimacing. "How am I supposed to get married?"

"I'm sure it'll be fine. Regardless, it is to Lady Lunafreya. I know you already harbor feelings towards her."

This, for some reason, embarrassed Noctis and he immediately felt the urge to argue against it. He shook his head, deciding it best to not argue the point. He couldn't deny he held strong feelings for her. The notebook was enough proof...

"It is what it is," Noctis ultimately decided.

"For what it is worth, I think it looks good," Ignis said.

Noctis studied his reflection in the tall mirror in front of him. Ignis stepped aside to allow him room and Noctis held up his arms. The suit had been painstakingly stitched together for him by master tailors, and it showed. There was no denying that this was the sort of thing that screamed royalty. The problem lay in how much Noctis tried to scream the opposite.

A faint trumpeting was heard then. Ignis straightened up and Noctis lowered his arms.

"It's time, then?" Noctis asked.

"It is time."

Night, day before the signing

Fireworks erupted, followed swiftly by cheers by the patrons crowded on the rooftop penthouse of the tall Caelum Via Hotel and Resort. The upper level was separated into two: the outside and the inside. The outside had a small pool currently unoccupied, save a small orchestra nearby playing Somnus, as well as several tables set up for the guests to relax and dine at. The inside was surrounded by a glass dome, and within was a large aquarium, as well as several portraits of the Astrals, and one of Eos, Goddess of the Dawn. This was larger than the others.

Noctis ascended the stairs to the glass dome slowly. The erupting fireworks did little for him than light up the night sky. He glanced back at his father, who was busy in conversation with Emperor Iedolas Aldercapt himself, emperor of Niflheim. The old man had been robed in white and spoke softly but firmly. Noctis had a brief interaction with him, but it was little more than the exchanging of names and pleasantries. The emperor spoke kindly, but his eyes were deep and fierce. They had frightened Noctis a little.

The prince shook his head and entered the dome. He absently observed a great white shark pass by in the large aquarium and traced his finger along the glass. Nights like these, he often just found himself waiting for it to end, and he often found the reprieve would take much longer than was comfortable. He had hoped Prompto would have been able to make it up to the penthouse, but his hopes were dashed. He was too much of a commoner. Ignis was nearby, standing watch from the lower level. Gladiolus was also close at hand, though Noctis hadn't seen where. They had their excuses for being up there, but neither were his best friend.

As he rounded the circular aquarium, he paused. Ahead of him was a sight he was not prepared to see. Dressed in white, back to him, a blonde lady stood, observing the portrait of Eos. Noctis's heart leaped to his throat, threatening to burst out and smash through the glass ceiling to explode with the fireworks above. It was her.

When Lunafreya turned, it was as though the world had slowed to a crawl. The smile creeping to the corner of her fair lips were enough to make Noctis feel as though he were a block of ice melting into the red carpet at his feet. He gave what must have been a very audible gulp as she swiftly approached him.

"Prince Noctis," she said. Her voice was softer than he remembered, but he last saw her twelve years ago, kept only in touch by the notebook they passed between themselves. The thing keeping his feeling growing stronger. "Do you recognize me?"

It was then Noctis realized he had lost his voice. His mouth was slightly open, and he felt the linings of his throat dry as the air entered, none escaping. After a moment, he sent saliva to soothe it and managed to locate his missing vocals.

"Of course, Lady Lunafreya," he said. He adjusted his posture so he was leaning back on his feet and folded his arms nonchalantly. "Who could forget?"

Lunafreya giggled, a sound so light it sounded to Noctis like the ringing of a gentle bell. "I'm honored, your highness. I was just observing the portrait of Eos. Such a beautiful and sad painting."

"What..." Noctis began. "What's so sad about it?"

"Well," Lunafreya replied. "It's not so much the picture but Eos's fate. A sad thing. The legends say she sleeps forever, never to awaken. Destined to remain asleep in the fantasy. A sad fate, no?"

"I'd certainly be sad if it happened to me," Noctis said.

"And now she is to be absent as her children wage war…" Lunafreya trailed off. Noctis frowned. After a moment, she shook her head and gave a small smile. "Sorry. This is a celebration and I'm bringing it down, aren't I?"

"No! Of course not…" However, Noctis also managed to trail off. Lunafreya raised an eyebrow, and Noctis smiled sheepishly. "Well, maybe a little…"

Another giggle. Something about making her laugh filled Noctis with a sense of pride he didn't realize he had been lacking, and sorely desiring. It was such a beautiful sound. He felt the immediate urge to try and draw it out again, but Lunafreya marched up to the aquarium and peered inside into the deep blue waters. She watched the fish, both big and small, swimming around.

"You know, I caught some of those," Noctis said, leaning against the glass.

"Ah, yes," Lunafreya replied with a smile. "I remember you writing me about your love of fishing. I'm glad to see it hasn't left."

Noctis suddenly found himself swelling with excitement at someone actually being interested in his fishing. "Yeah! It's super relaxing. You should give it a shot…" Noctis began to trail off halfway into the sentence. It seemed to be becoming a common occurrence, much to his chagrin.

"I would, if I could," Lunafreya replied with a sad smile. "I'm afraid they don't really permit me in the empire."

"Right. I'm sorry…"

"No need. I know you didn't mean anything by it." Lunafreya's gaze returned to the fish. "I get how they feel though. Trapped in there."

"I get it too," Noctis muttered. "I mean, I guess not in the extreme way you do. I can't leave Insomnia myself, but..."

"At least you have your father, right?" Lunafreya replied, finishing his sentence.

Noctis was silent for a moment, trying to figure out if what he said was making her sad. "Yeah..."

"I suppose that's our lot in life," Lunafreya replied. "What I'd give to be able to freely travel the world..." she trailed off. After a moment, she looked at Noctis and her cheeks reddened. "Ah, I'm rambling a little, aren't I? I suppose I have more important things I need to worry about than travelling the world."

"Like what?" Noctis asked. "You mean like Oracle related things?"

"Yes," Lunafreya said with a nod. "A lot of people are relying on me to follow my duties. I need to put them before myself."

"Is it scary having that many people rely on you?" Noctis asked, thinking briefly of his own future as the son of a king. "How do you manage?"

"It is scary," Lunafreya affirmed, "but it's also in a way more motivating because of it. I think of all the people that I'm helping, and it in turn helps me to cope. Are you scared, Noctis?"

"What?" Noctis quickly replied. "No, I'm not. I'm..." Noctis trailed off. "I shouldn't lie. Yeah. It's pretty scary. I've seen what my father has gone through all these years and it does frighten me. Physically, he's so much more worn out than he used to be. This past decade... he's lost so much of himself. His hair's gone grey. He has a limp. Every day, he seems to lean harder and harder on that cane of his. Frankly, I don't know how I could deal with it if I was in his position..."

"I believe you'd make for a great king," Lunafreya replied.

"And you'd be by my side then? With this whole arranged marriage thing?" Noctis asked.

The subject unfortunately made the air rather stiff. Lunafreya gave a small smile, but it didn't seem as natural as the others she gave.

"How do you feel about that?" she asked. "About us getting married I mean."

"I..." Noctis began. He looked into the aquarium as though searching for some sort of answer in its darkened corners. Finding nothing, his gaze slowly trailed back to the princess. "I mean, I'm glad that it's you rather than a stranger, but..."

Lunafreya raised an eyebrow. "But..?"

"Well, not that I don't think you're beautiful or anything because you are, but..." Noctis trailed off again. Lunafreya, however, watched him patiently. Her expression was hard to read. "Well, it's just so sudden, right?"

Lunafreya let out a breath Noctis didn't know she was holding and nodded. "That's the way I feel too. I do care for you Noctis. Very deeply. But we've been apart for so long and to have our first meeting after all these years be after it's been decided we should be betrothed... Well, it is a lot of complicated feelings I need to sort out."

"Yeah," Noctis replied.

There was silence again. Lunafreya's gaze had trailed off and she seemed to be staring past Noctis to some unknown corner of the room. The prince tapped a finger on the glass of the aquarium.

"I noticed a balcony on the other side of the aquarium," Lunafreya said after a moment. "I think I could use the fresh night air. Care to join me?"

Noctis nodded and the two made their way there. Noctis took a glance back at the portrait of Eos. It was her, arms spread apart as though trying to embrace something. Around her was a halo of light, but in the painting it was surrounded by tendrils of darkness choking the light. Her eyes were shut, as she was asleep. As though she were awaiting something. For the second time, something flashed within Noctis and he heard a voice. This time, he could make it out.

Who are you? It asked. The voice was faint, and a little distorted, as though coming through a phone with a weak connection. Noctis could not identify the gender.

"I should be asking you," Noctis replied. He wasn't sure where the answer came from. He just blurted it out, staring at the painting as though he were speaking to it.

"Hmm? Something on your mind?"

Noctis turned to see Lunafreya a few paces ahead, looking back in concern. Noctis straightened up and cleared his throat.

"Nothing!" he said. "Let's go. Sorry about that."

Lunafreya nodded, and Noctis took another look at the painting, but it was as it always was. With a small shake of his head, he pursued after Lunafreya again. The pair walked through a small set of glass doors and stepped out onto the balcony. Noctis looked down over the metal railing, and nearly reeled from the dizzying height. The people far below looked as ants. Lunafreya, however, kept her gaze skyward.

"Do you remember back when you visited Tenebrae?" she asked.

"Of course," Noctis replied. "It was after the car accident. I had been attacked by a daemon and rushed to your mother for healing." Noctis leaned forward against the metal rail. "I never did get to properly thank her. Not before the empire..."

He looked over at Lunafreya, who still kept her gaze skyward.

"We made a promise that day," she said. "A promise to always keep in touch by notebook." She smiled. "I remember you said it would be easier to talk by phone, but I liked how... romantic a notebook was... and after the empire attacked... well, it became the only way we could communicate."

"I remember when Umbra first came to me," Noctis said, eyes becoming distant. "Barely older than a puppy with the notebook strapped to his back. It... was the first message I got from you after the attack. I remember dad was so worried. He wasn't sure if you were still alive. I remember how I felt when I first read your note. I was so relieved you were still alive."

"You remember what it said?" Lunafreya asked. She tore her gaze from the heavens and looked at Noctis.

Noctis met her gaze and held it. "Hello, Prince." Noctis smiled. "It was a simple message, but it came with a sylleblossom flower. I knew then it was from you. For sure."

"Well," Lunafreya said. "Hello, Prince."

Somehow, they had leaned in close without noticing. Another firework exploded, but it was lost to them as they looked into the eyes of the other. Hers were as deep and blue as the ocean, and Noctis felt adrift in the tides. Their hands had slid across the metal and met, and Noctis felt his pulse increasing. She was before him. The woman from his dreams he hadn't gone a day without thinking about since they had been forcefully separated those twelve years ago. His future wife. In that brief moment, Noctis nearly dismissed his previous notions of their marriage being too sudden. But the moment was cut short before either could make that decision.

"I was wondering where you two had disappeared to," came a sharp and florid voice.

The two quickly separated and Noctis turned to the door. Standing before him was a blonde man dressed in elegant white Tenebraen armor. As his eyes fell upon his face and met his fierce hetero-chromatic blue and purple eyes, Noctis felt a pulse of recognition. Another person who had been lost to him twelve years ago, in the fires left in Niflheim's wake. The boy who had always stood so rigid and serious. The older brother of Lunafreya.

"Good evening, Ravus," Lunafreya said.

"Come, sister," Ravus said. "You are needed at the party. Your absence has been felt for far too long."

"Of course," Lunafreya replied, bowing her head. "How foolish of me." She turned to Noctis. "I will see you later, Noctis?"

"Of course," he replied. Noctis smiled. "Good luck out there. I can barely handle it."

Lunafreya smiled back and touched his hand, which had been gripping the rail. "It was good to see you again, Noctis. Thank you."

"O-of course," Noctis stuttered.

With a bow, Lunafreya left, very stiffly passing by her brother. She took a glance back at Noctis and smiled again, before disappearing into the aquarium. Noctis's gaze turned to Ravus.

"It has been a long time, Ravus," Noctis said.

"Do not offend me, Noctis," he quickly replied.

Noctis's jaw fell. "I-I wasn't trying to... how was that—?"

"Your voice offends my ears," Ravus said, and swiftly turned and left.

"What the hell?" Noctis muttered.

Still, he couldn't be upset for long. She was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. His heart was still racing from the encounter, and he wondered when he would see her again. He returned his gaze to the skyline and leaned against the railing again, letting out a sigh. What a day.

Then he looked out at the horizon at the rectangular objects hanging above the skyline. They were approaching Caelum Via, still some minutes away.

"More envoys?" Noctis groaned. "And really, what the hell is wrong with Ravus?"

The prince pushed off of the rail and returned to the aquarium. He felt the need then to find Ignis and speak to him about Ravus and his strange behavior. His trip was cut short.

CRASH!

The glass of the dome shattered and Noctis jumped back, confused. One of the airships from Niflheim had smashed through the glass dome.

An accident? Noctis thought.

Then, as though to answer, the ship opened up and several armed soldiers rushed out, aiming their rifles straight at him. Screams began to fill the night. Noctis's eyes grew wide. It didn't take him long to realize what was happening. The invasion had begun.

The prince reached out and his palm was suddenly filled by the hilt of his Engine Blade, a custom-made sword of his design. Before they could open fire, Noctis tossed his sword at the nearest soldier, and disappeared in a flash of blue light.