Final Fantasy XV-2

Chapter 3

The Emperor and Voices

Two Years later…

'When was the Lucis Line established?', Ignis asked, not looking up from his list of questions.

'During the "Ancient Age", Fulgur answered, confidently.

'Good, and how did this come to be?'.

'It is said, a man fought alongside the gods when the Starscourge first occurred. He had been given special powers to his bloodline, the Crystal to protect, and the Ring of the Lucii'.

Ignis nodded before picking the next question. 'What was the name and title of that man?'.

'The Founder King's true name is Somnus Lucis Caelum', Fulgur said.

Satisfied, Ignis closed his note book and sat up from his chair. The sun was descending below the mountains; the exam had gone on longer than he had anticipated. The former advisor had expected Fulgur to request a break long ago but the child was adamant in perfecting the exam.

'That will do for tonight', he said. Fulgur let out a jaw creaking yawn in response, his poise slouching and eyes droopy. He was clearly exerting himself, much to Ignis' worries. Two years since he told his son about Aurora and the role he played, and the boy was increasingly worrying his father with his dedication to fulfilling his role to the future princess.

Granted Ignis was proud of his determined pace, he would be entering a much higher education soon at this rate. Yet the father in him was adamant in the boy would rest and be what he should be for a while, a child. Ignis made it a priority to remind him of this fact, constantly spending time with him and trying to help find hobbies and interests for him to explore.

He patted his son's shoulder with approval, pride in his green eyes as Fulgur gave his father a tired smile. 'Wash yourself up and relax, I'll prepare dinner', he said. Nodding and with slow movement, his son entered the bathroom while his father tidied his notes and pens.

At the stove, he was already prepping the rice and stirring the chicken in the curry, his son's favourite meal. A small reward for his hard work Ignis figured, though he believed he should at least do something more to show his son's hard work wouldn't feel unrewarded.

Just as he started to pour the bowls and mix up the sauce with the food, his doorbell rang. Puzzled and looking at the clock hanging in the living room, he was surprised to have a visitor at such a late hour. Cautiously, Ignis approached the door and peered through the small glass hole in his door, seeing Gladio of all people waiting there with Prompto.

Unlocking his door for them, he gave them a confused look. 'A bit late for a visit, isn't gentlemen?', he asked. Prompto scratched the back of his head tiredly. 'You're telling me, I asked the big guy if we can't leave it for another night', Prompto said, voicing his weariness.

Turning his eyes to the said giant, Ignis spotted a look he hadn't seen in his eyes for quite some time. Steel eyes with focused determination yet clashing with trepidation, his hands clenched and posture stiff. A look he carried when Noct was in great danger, a look a Shield would bare. 'No, it cannot it seems', Ignis said, his own tone leaving no chance for arguing. He turned to his son, who just came out of the bathroom, looking surprised to see Gladio and Prompto.

'Get dressed son, and bring something with you', Ignis said, brushing past him to throw on proper clothes. Confused, the boy turned to his fleeing father before Gladio patted his head good naturedly, smiling. 'We're gonna be having a guys night out kiddo, and we wanna bring your dad with us', explained the former shield, eyes lit with mirth. 'So you're gonna with Iris tonight, the others are there too'.

Then he smiled softly at the bigger man, excitement brightened in his eyes at the thought.

*Iris' Home*

'Again, I'm sorry for springing this upon you at such short notice', Ignis apologized for like the eleventh time as he watched Fulgur being dragged by Clavam to join the others. Iris giggled at the apology, turning to her friend.

'Iggy, its fine. I'm sure they'll be happy to have another playmate', assured Iris. 'If anything, you and Prompto were the only ones who looked guilty for the surprise visit'. She directed that little remark at her brother, who just gave her a shrug in retort.

Gladio then gestured the two to follow him as they bid their kids a good night (after Ignis left instructions and reminders to his son) and headed out. Smiling to herself, Iris turned to see the kids in the living room playing together, Aura on the couch with Ferox watching Vitae showing off a new invented toy his mother worked on.

Fulgur was sitting close to Clavam, the latter looked at the toy with a mixture of interest and boredom, but she refused to budge from Fulgur.

At the cooker, just to make snacks for the kids, the little sister of Gladio was had a pensive look on her face as she worked. Gladio had rang her just a few hours earlier to ask if she could mind the kids for a few hours. Yuria was unfortunately visiting a relative from Altissia and Cindy couldn't watch the kids at Hammerhead while working. While it held no trouble for the woman, Aura loved having her friends over on a regular basis, plus it was a roomy house for everyone.

What worried her was the looks Gladio had on his face, it was worrying her to say the least and he wouldn't explain it entirely to her when she asked. All he did was look at Aurora, and his face was grim, something akin to whenever Noctis was in trouble. That was enough for her to agree and mind the kids.

She just hoped whatever it was that bothered him wasn't something that severe…although past events had told her that was just wishful thinking…

*Bar*

'So am I gonna be the only in the dark or what?', Prompto asked impatiently. He never liked being in the dark when it came to these two being either serious. Gladio merely showed them the newspaper, published by Vyv and his company, and spun it to show his brothers. Prompto and Ignis glanced at the headline along with the picture of familiar looking area. 'Hey…isn't that, Niflheim?', Prompto asked. Ignis gave a grunt before he read the headlines and gave a grim look. 'As of today, Niflheim has elected a new emperor to restore the Nilfheim empire to its former glory'.

Prompto looked at the paper and the guys in shock as Gladio glowered in his drink, Ignis raising his hand for a drink. 'A new emperor was bound to happen soon… but so soon', Ignis muttered, a pensive look taking place on his face. 'But who's the new guy? Don't remember him from before', Prompto asked. 'According to the paper…his name is Typicus…Aldercapt', Ignis said slowly. He looked at Gladio in shock as Prompto's own jaw slammed to the table.

'Aldercapt…as in…SON!?', Prompto gasped. He then sunk into his seat, a look of horror formed on his face with his skin taking a pale colour. 'Aldercapt…reproduced…', he muttered dumbly. Ignis turned to Gladio while poor Prompto was doing everything to push those thoughts into the deepest darkest sections in his brain. 'Did the glaives ever knew about him?', Ignis asked.

'I've been in touch with Cor and Libertus, they only found out via papers too', Gladio said. 'But, how did Iedolas manage to keep him a secret for so long? Even back then surely they would've found about him', Ignis inquired.

'That's the big question. He's in his teens apparently, probably born before the whole fiasco with Insomnia and Niflheim started', Gladio explained. 'But then again…could be another case of…', he started but then paused and overall stopped this speech.

'Maybe he did what Verstael was doing with me? Using his cells to create clones or…sons?', Prompto asked, disgust and anger in his tone. 'I wouldn't be surprised if the emperor thought that far ahead, in any attempts to keep the world under the Niflheim', Ignis hummed. So far the news from Niflheim was scarce and almost non-existent ever since the Starscourge had started, as it was the most daemonic populated place in Eos at the time.

So many of its citizens had been turned into daemons or been killed in the process, only a small portion of its people manage to evacuate to Lestallum before the eternal darkness fully begun. Since Noctis' sacrifice, the majority of them had returned in Niflheim with some of the hunters lending a hand in clearing out daemons. Not all of them though, and even to this day there was still daemons lurking within the imperial city.

Ignis took a sip of his wine, mulling over a worrying thought that was looming in their minds. 'Do you think, he's gonna do what his old man tried to do?', Prompto asked. 'What? Take over the world?', Gladio asked. 'If so, with what? The empire has no army, most of their research is likely gone or with luck, destroyed by anyone with a brain'. He wasn't wrong on that, and even then the population of the Nilfs was so low they wouldn't be able to replicate the power the old empire had in such a short time.

Ignis had to agree on his friend's statement, but a worrying thought had wrought in his mind. 'Aurora', he said. The two uncles looked at him as his eyes hardened. 'The council will have everything they need now. If Niflheim has an emperor, they'll need a figure in order to keep Insomnia alive and free from the emperor', he grunted. 'But she's like seven, that and if we blab that there's a Lucis alive and adorable and well, then…', Prompto said, but his eyes faded to worry.

'I don't give a damn about the council's choice, that kid isn't gonna touch that throne until A: we tell her the truth, and B: she's sixteen', Gladio affirmed. 'That is not going to change but…', Ignis sighed. 'We're close to having the Citadel finally restored to its former glory, and soon enough we'll have to move there', Ignis mused. Prompto let out a breath, looking up at the ceiling with a thoughtful look. 'Geez…moving back to Insomnia sounds like a dream now, doesn't it?'.

'I cannot disagree with that', Ignis chuckled. 'After so many years we're finally able to inhabit our old home'. So far according to the council, the Citadel was the first section of Insomnia to be rebuilt and restored to its glory, in preparation for her soon to be princess of the Crown City. Ignis had already been giving a place of his own choosing, and he had a specific place to call home once more.

'So, is Cor gonna go through with rebuilding the Crownsguard?', the blond asked. 'I've been asking that question too, and from what I can imagine he has already assembled a few seasoned hunters', Gladio replied. 'And he's asked me to come back and mentor the younger recruits'. 'Of course, can't say I know anyone better than yourself', agreed the spectacled man. Gladio merely grunted in response to this, looking at his beer with a conflicted look.

'Do you think otherwise?', Ignis inquired. 'No, I get why he picked me. But…that would mean I gotta pack up and head to Insomnia too', Gladio lamented. 'Can't say I'm in love with the idea of packing everything up and dragging the family to a new home'.

'Yeah, kinda hard to just pack and leave after putting roots down, huh?', Prompto agreed. 'Can't imagine Cindy wanting to move there'. The two looked at the blond haired man, his eyes downcast. 'Prompto, you do know by all means, you've retired from the Crownsguard, yes?', Ignis reminded, patting his shoulder. 'Yeah, I mean, Iggy and I are only doing this since our little monsters will follow our footsteps', Gladio said, chuckling at his own joke.

'Hey, Fulgur is far from a monster now', chastised Ignis with a smirk. 'Yeah, least he doesn't tackle hug me!', concurred Prompto with a cheeky. The three shared a laugh between them all, raising their glasses together. 'To whatever comes next, may our future be bright for ourselves and our children', Gladio said. They all clinked their glasses and chugged them down, all unaware of what lies ahead of them and their children.

*Later*

Silence fell upon the Amicitia household, the kids had been put to bed and Iris had retired to her bed once all the kids were all comfortable and asleep, and after putting her daughter to bed.

Except for Fulgur, who was stirred awake by a need to use the bathroom. He should never accept a challenge from Clavam when it involved drinking a surplus of sodas, they just don't do his bladder any favours.

So after he navigated the field of tangled and outstretched limbs that were his friends, Vitae is such a restless sleeper. Ferox was on the couch, sleeping soundly with the occasional mumble and turning in her sleep, Clavam snored like a bear, grunting often and then only when she buried her face into a pillow, did her snores become muffled and slightly more tolerable. Vitae was just restless, Fulgur swore he punched his face once in his sleep.

For scrawny kid he can punch like Gladio.

Using the rest room, he cleaned his hands thoroughly and after taking a gulp of water, a dying thirst clutched his throat out of nowhere, he carefully walked through the quiet house.

Then, as he passed Aurora's room (There was a bright pink sign on the door informing anyone it was her room) he stopped. The silvery haired youth turned to the door, hearing a noise from within. Now his father had taught him to respect a person's privacy and always knock before entering, but Fulgur heard a worrying sound of whimpers. Pressing his ear to the door, he heard small noises that sounded close to crying.

'Aura? Are you ok?', he said, gently rapping his knuckle against the door.

He got no response but the whimpers worried him greatly. Against the teachings his father had strived for him to learn, the boy opened the unlocked door and entered. He sees the girl tossing and turning in her sleep, tears running down her eyes, a look is distress. 'Aura!', he said, quickly running to her side and grabbing her shoulders.

He shook her madly, repeating her name with each shake as the girl's cries became louder and desperate. Fulgur berated himself mentally for not running and getting her mother, but his instinctive nature told him to wake her up before anything else. Soon, with one last call of her name, the girl jumped and her eyes opened up with alert and fear. When she stopped tossing and turning, she panted and turned to her equally worried friend.

Before he could even ask, she suddenly lunged upon him, crying renewed and forgoing all quiet and allowed her cries to be heard. Fulgur froze upon the hug, unable to move or comprehend what he could do. Remembering what his father did, however, whenever he was upset, he slowly though awkwardly, wrapped his own arms around her. She bawled into his shoulder, shaking with terror and hiccupping.

'Aura!', cried a voice behind them.

Fulgur turned to see Aura's mother rushing into the room, just recently awake he guessed. When her eyes fell upon the children, she immediately crouched down to her daughter as Fulgur eased up on his hug to allow Aurora too see Iris. Upon seeing her tears, Iris instantly enveloped her daughter into a tight hug, pulling her close to and cradling her in her arms. Gently brushing her hand down her back, Iris whispered soothing word into her ear.

She looked at the boy, worry itched in her eyes. Fulgur looked down, unable to meet her gaze as the answers she sought were not going to appear from him.

Settling her daughter down enough for the tears to cease, Iris placed her on the bed and sat beside her. 'What happened, sweetheart?', she asked. 'I-I had a bad dream', she whimpered.

Fulgur said nothing, but his eyes showed sympathy to his friend. He himself still had nightmares about the eternal darkness on a regular bases, and the memories when his father couldn't see still haunted him.

'Oh sweetie, what was it?', Iris asked.

'…voices…telling me weird things…b-but I didn't understand what they were saying. There was so many, a-and when I didn't understand, they got angry and started to yell', she said, but her lips quivered and her voice wavered. Slowly she whimpered before gently started to sob again, clutching her mother's t-shirt, burying her face into her shoulder. Desperate to seek a shelter from the nightmare in the one place she felt safe at night.

Iris kept her arms around her daughter, her eyes darkened at the information, and unless it was Fulgur, he swore he saw tears beginning to form in her own eyes. 'Don't worry sweetheart, I'll speak with Iggy, he'll know what do to', she promised. Gently, she carried her daughter out of the room and into her own, hoping that being close to her mother would soothe her enough to go back to sleep. Once she had Fulgur back to his own bed anyways.

But as the boy laid there in thought, his own eyes felt watery too…

*Hammerhead, next night*

Prompto is a man who wouldn't take a single good thing in his life for granted.

So as a man who takes the good with full gratitude, he also knows when to just stop and appreciate the good. And oddly enough, watching his wife work on a car was one of those good thing.

Cindy is working on what he believed was her new goal since Vitae was born, and that was reviving the Regalia. So far to his wife's credit, it looked like the old machine the brothers knew and loved (a tad bit more than they let on), aside from the paint job. It was mostly a skeletal remains of the car without the body, engines and metal alike were being polished and tinkered by Cindy. Looking at his wife, Prompto smiled genuinely when he looked at her.

Sure she had barely changed since Vitae was born, and while she claims she looks much older than she lets on, Prompto could still see her as that beautiful goddess of machines when he first laid eyes on her, many years ago. Her hair was cut down shorter now, very reminiscent of Iris he'd admit when she was younger, she had grown an inch taller and whatever baby fat she had was gone after a month Vitae was born.

The whole pregnancy Prompto had put her first and before anything or anyone else, learning what he could in terms of mechanical work. Heck it was his second job by then. The hormones would make him laugh when she had mode swings. He took those rage induced hormones in his stride though, laughing it off and comforting her when she would randomly bawl her eyes out.

Then came the…other benefits. And if there was anything Prompto learned about Cindy, it's that when she wants to be seductive, by the Astrals she damn well knows how to seduce.

She detested being fat though, even though she knew it'd be gone once Vitae was born, and even complained about it. Prompto kept assuring her she looked beautiful no matter what, and he swore that wasn't because her amazing breasts got bigger during her pregnancy…partially anyways.

Quiet as a mouse, he approached her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Startling her slightly and causing her to jump a bit, she eased into his arms. Placing her hands on his own, she allowed him to pluck off her cap. 'Ya gotta warn a girl when ya want snuggles', she teased, 'I might've hit ya with my hammer'.

'You wouldn't hit me~ My face is too good to smack', Prompto teased back.

'True, I'd hate to wake up to an ugly mug anyways'.

Prompto chuckled softly, resting his nose into the crook of her shoulder lovingly. He laughed in his mind, years ago he couldn't muster up a single sentence to her without blushing and rambling like a school boy in front of his crush, yet here he was. Touching her in such a loving embrace, being so close to her without utter confidence but genuine affection for her.

Cindy apparently shared his desire as she leaned back to let her head rest beneath his chin. 'So, cuddling or you fancy something a little different?', she asked. She felt him smile into her neck, before his lips gently sucked on that spot, making her breathe out a soft sigh of pleasure. 'Maybe~', he sung.

Cindy relished these moments with her husband. Sure she'd always be a mechanic, married or single, and while she was admittedly apprehensive and cautious about starting a relationship with the blond haired man, truth be told she was happy to say he proved her wrong and then some. Sure he wasn't as mechanical handy as she is, and there were days she dreads handing him a tool, but for at least eighty-nine percent of the time her worries were for nothing.

Prompto is actually handy for bikes and engines, heck she'd be happy if he took the offer she gave him as a permanent bike repair man. Plus, his company was something she had gone from accustomed, to reviling in it. His cheerful jokes, good and bad, how his smile alone would light up the entire garage and make her work faster just so she could have him all to herself.

Which only brought her worry and apprehension in regards to her question.

'…I heard ya told Vitae about your adventures', she mused.

Prompto's arms pulled her tighter to him, his face still where it was before as he kissed her. 'Yeah, he was pretty determined to know the full story', he explained, his own tone showing relief and regret.

'So am I gonna be seeing him in the Crownsguard one day?', Cindy asked, looking at him.

Prompto showed his own worries in his blue eyes, gently turning her around just so she wouldn't have to crane her neck towards him. Prompto had made a promise to her he wouldn't be part of the new Kingsglaives or Crownsguard after learning she was carrying Vitae, and despite him not losing any of the strength and skills he had polished throughout the years, he hadn't brought up nor even entertained the idea of re-joining.

And Cindy would be lying if she told him she'd be happy he went back, especially now that Vitae was around.

'Well, Iggy and Gladio said their kids are determined to do the same…and Vitae said he wanted to go with them', he said. 'But from what Iggy told me, none of them learned any fighting yet'.

'Well that's good, I'd have a heart attack if I saw Vitae running around with one of your old guns!', Cindy said, with a humourless laugh.

Prompto had admittedly kept several of the guns he used in his days in a locker in Hammerhead, as he said each one carried a memory and that helped remind him how much he's grown as a person. But they were under at least six locks and only he and Cindy carried them or rather knew where he'd hide them.

Prompto gave his wife a smile as he brushed her cheek softly, earning a genuine laugh from her. 'Your thoughts? He's gonna need both our permissions anyway', Prompto said.

'Ain't you the expert on the subject?', she asked.

'I am a gifted Crownsguard sure, but I think if you ever held a gun, people would be more scared of you', he said. 'I may never have been on the receiving end, but I'm VERY sure if you did hit me with a wrench, I'd be out'.

Cindy gave him a smirk. 'Well I'm happy ya know that, sugar', she said. Her expression dimmed a bit, as she played with the collar of her usual yellow jacket.

If Vitae is anything like his pa, he'll certainly want to join the others in looking after Aurora in the future. The boy loved his friends dearly, she knew this based on how he acts with them, and she had a gut feeling Prompto encouraged him to be the friend Aurora was going to need in the future, especially when she and the world discovers she is a princess and the future ruler of Insomnia. She gave her husband a curious look.

'What about you? Do you want him to be Crownsguard?', she asked.

'Me? Not…really. I mean, I'd be happy for him if that's what he wanted…but would I want that to be his life ahead?', he said. 'I'm not sure'.

Least Cindy wasn't the only one with doubts and worries about their child's future, made her feel like she wasn't being the "no-fun" parent.

Sensing her worries, Prompto suddenly took her hands and gave her a dazzling smile. 'Hey, how bout I take you to dinner tonight?', he offered.

Before Cindy could respond to him, he pulled her closer, until she was touching his chest and had to look up directly into his eyes. 'Lets not worry about the future and just enjoy the now, yeah?', he suggested. Then…he gave her that "look".

Slowly he leaned into her ear, lips literally inches away from touching the body part. 'And then, I'll spend the night worshiping the "goddess of machines", as long as she wants', he said. Husky toned, seduction so suave and smooth, Cindy could feel her cheeks redden with and legs somehow getting shaky.

Then, he pulled away and non-chalantly walked away, like nothing happened. 'Unless you wanna just work on, that's cool, I can do a few photos here and there…'.

Cindy grabbed his arm just before he escaped him and dragged him out of the garage. 'You're buying dinner…ya dang charmer', she said, flustered.

*Lestallum*

Aurora hated the dark.

It was not uncommon that a child was scared of the darkness that the world would often be covered in at night, but for her it felt like suffocating. She had a night light sure, and Iris would always make sure it had power to keep the room alit in soft blue but there were times she felt like a coward.

Sure, her mother told her not to let what bullies and other mean kids say get to her, but she felt like a baby when they made fun of her need for a nightlight.

Aurora, in a state of mind to prove she wasn't a baby, switched off her night light tonight…and instantly regretted that very thoughtless choice.

It didn't help that the bed room light was by the door and at least requiring her to move a small chair to actually reach the blasted switch. Which she wouldn't risk because the only light that could help her even identify the door were the very dim and slim lights from below. Biting her lower lip, she ducked under the covers, whimpering in fear.

Her eyes were so heavy and she just wanted to go to sleep again, so she could enjoy the light again. But the nightmares that had scared her began to grow more frequently, it was almost every night now. The voices that spoke in broken sentences yet the words were foreign and unknown to her. They came to her like giants, armoured and ghostly like those stories uncle Gladio told them on the eve of Halloween.

She tried to keep her eyes open, but between the sleepless nights and school, exhaustion was written all over her face as despite her stubbornness to remain awake, she slowly lost her strength and fell into the darkness that was a slumber.

Aurora felt their voices drumming and vibrating in her head, like drums that echoed in a tunnel or a cave. The child tried to block out their broken voices, but it was like her hands were nothing more than thin paper, they were easy to pierce through and any attempts to try and ignore them were overpowered by their insistent noises.

She let out a scream but even her own voice was muffled, nearly muted, by their own voices. Until she cried:

'MAMA!'.

When the night has come

And the land is dark

And the moon is the only light we'll see

No, I won't be afraid

Oh, I won't be afraid

Just as long as you stand, stand by me

The broken voices disappeared, the darkness released its grip on her and the only thing she felt, was warmth.

A gentle hug that felt as if the sun was wrapping its gentle arms around her, sharing the warmth with the gentleness of what reminded her of Iris. The darkness evaporated, in its place Aurora saw herself in a field.

She saw the most beautiful flowers all around her, and the sky was bright with clear skies but instead of wanting to explore this place, Aurora just nestled into the warming embrace of the light.

If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall

Or the mountain should crumble to the sea

I won't cry, I won't cry

No, I won't shed a tear

Just as long as you stand, stand by me

The song was sung so softly but she felt the power beyond the softness. Her soul felt at ease, her fears washed away and the tiredness was welcomed by her this time, not fretted.

'Mama…?', she asked, not opening her eyes but snuggling closer to her.

'Hello Aurora', mother replied.

Her voice sounded more elegant and oddly older too, and she always referred to Aurora by her nickname most of the time. Plus her arms were more delicate and slimmer, she couldn't feel the muscle in them nor that amazing strength. But even without the strength she felt the same level of safety in those arms.

'Did you scare the monsters away?', she asked.

'Yes…your father kept them away…don't worry'.

Father?

'Papa…? Where is he?', she asked.

Then, she sighed contently when mother gently brushed her head, her hand felt so soft and gentle against her head.

'He's visiting some friends dear, he'll come soon'.

Aurora opened her eyes to see not Iris but rather…someone she didn't know, yet she felt like she knew her.

Blond hair that looked so soft and like her own, the warmest and loving blue eyes she had ever looked at. Her frame looked to be very delicate, like a swan she thought.

'…I've wanted to meet you, for so long', she said, continuing to stroke her head.

A sense of serenity and peace washed over the child instead of fear. The woman before her was not her mother, yet this feeling wasn't alien to her nor unwelcomed. It felt as if this woman was a part of her, and looking at her she looked familiar too…

'Who are you?', she asked softly.

' My name…is Lunafreya', she revealed.

Gently, she pressed her forehead against her own, hands delicately holding her cheeks as she spoke. 'Blessed are the stars, the light that once shielded the Chosen King, may it pass to the Child of Light', she prayed. Aurora felt a warmth spread through her like a river, her heart felt lighter and fears she once carried begun to slip into nothingness.

Her eyes grew heavier as she was laid upon Lunafreya's lap, looking up at her once more. 'Rest my precious', she said.

'…will you stay?', Aurora asked.

A wave of sadness fell over her as the woman's own eye grew watery and sadder. Guilt and loss begun to form in her stomach, but why she didn't know yet seeing Lunafreya's sadness hurt her. Gently she raised her small hand to her and immediately Lunafreya took hers in her own hand.

'Sweet dreams.', Lunafreya promised.

And the single tear streaked face would be the last thing Aurora saw as she fell to sleep.

Waking up in her bed, seeing the ceiling above. Aurora sat up just as the door opened up, Iris entering. 'Come on sweetheart, school's about to start in ten minutes', she said. 'Get dressed and I'll…-'.

Iris' speech ceased when she laid eyes on her daughter, a look of concerned quickly replacing her smiles. 'Aura, what's wrong?', she asked.

Aurora blinked but the felt her cheek, and then felt the tears that were spilling. Lunafreya's face flashed in her mind, that warmth and gentleness mixed with the sadness and guilt swirled in her stomach as her heart felt like it was trying to piece itself together.

Aurora then, begun to sob as her mother wrapped her arms around her.

A/N:

Sorry for the delay, and it'll be a little longer than usual for next one. I was originally going to use FF Type 0's main theme but reading the lyrics didn't do the chapter any favours so I went with the original theme.

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Stay awesome, but more importantly stay safe!