Chapter 2
As the Founder's Day celebration drew near, Regis had mulled over his thoughts many times. Within his limited time to plan, he had only gone through a small handful of possible scenarios, but even then he feared something else could happen. There was a chance Ardyn wouldn't listen, or there would be some divine intervention. It had been wracking his brain that maybe Ardyn wouldn't even show up.
"Your Majesty," Clarus said as he entered the room. "Are you quite done mulling about?"
"Hm? Oh Clarus. Yes, yes I think I should be fine. It's only the anticipation of coming events that eats at me."
"We can't say it will happen," Clarus said, shaking his head slightly.
"But we can't say it won't."
"We've prepared in what little time we could, there isn't anything more we can do but wait for the possible event that your future son told us about."
Regis sighed, moving towards the window. He looked out over his kingdom, seeing that the festivities were going on without any disruption. Everyone and everything were perfectly at peace, and that only made his nerves tense up even tighter.
"Is Aulea in her safe location?"
"Yes, she's still there, but you know Regis, she will want a proper explanation. If she doesn't join you on your drive through the city she won't be the only one with questions," Clarus stated.
"I understand, but if I recall what we were told the other day, I won't be getting that chance."
Suddenly, a large explosion was heard from further out into Insomnia. Regis stared out at again as he saw the smoke rising from one distracted. With his gut twisting, he backed up from the window, turning to face his Shield.
"I believe it's begun."
Not long after the destruction started a video screen light up with what appeared to be a Royal Guard. Through some help from his tech support, Regis was able to get a clear view right from his office.
"Testing, 1-2-3. Is this thing on?" the Royal Guard said. "Greetings, people of the Kingdom of Lucis! Do forgive me for interrupting the festivities… but I must tell you this day of rapturous revelry shall be your last. Call it 'divine retribution.' False kings and fraudulent nations are fated to perish. Sins of the past must not go unpunished. The time of reckoning is at hand!"
Regis narrowed his eyes on the image. The face was of a guard he knew that had worked for him, the voice even sounded like him. But the thing that threw him off was the speech pattern. It was far too regal and elegant to match.
This was clearly who Noctis had warned him about. This was his many greats uncle; Ardyn Lucis Caelum. The man who if not carefully taken care of would wreak havoc on the future. He would be the cause of pain and suffering to Regis's son, who had yet to even be born.
Or he could be all that. He could end up to be what Noctis foretold, or maybe with the chance Regis had, he could change all of it. It all rested on him now, and the small plan he had to work with.
"I should head down there right away," Regis said.
"No. Your Majesty please think for a moment. We cannot have you rushing into the heat of battle. Let the forces wear him down first before you do anything too reckless."
"But can the forces even handle a man like him?" Regis hissed. He tried to keep his inner rage contained, but he could feel it boiling within him. "I don't wish to lose my men to him."
"So you are going to let him come closer to the Citadel? Risking the lives of many more?" Clarus scoffed. "He has the Infernian under his control!"
"Sending the Guard out there to fight a man of his caliber would result in just the same, Clarus. Especially with the Infernian at his tail. This has to end sooner than later."
"But Your Majesty-"
"Clarus," Regis interrupted. He placed a hand on his shoulder. "I understand the concern. I haven't ignored any warnings you've given, but I know I can handle this. Trust in me. Trust in your king."
Clarus stared long and hard at his king, reading the determination that fueled his eyes. With a gaze so serious and yet sincere, he finally sighed, giving in.
"Very well. As you go to face him, I shall work with the Guard on clearing pedestrians out of the way."
"Sounds like a good plan. I'll keep in touch as I draw him near, and closer to the Citadel would be best as it is farther away from the residential buildings."
"There is no stopping you when you have put your mind to it, is there?" Clarus sighed.
Regis hummed with amusement. "You know me, Clarus. I am as reckless but careful as I was when I was a young man."
"And that is what worries me."
Regis could only laugh. "I'll be fine. I promise."
Regis walked out into the quiet streets that had been full of life moments ago. He sighed as he took in the damage around the area. There were banners, speakers, posters, all torn down and destroyed.
It felt like a war zone. His kingdom that he was to protect had been brought to this state. As much as it tore him apart to see the ruins, it was all something he expected from war and destruction.
"I can discuss the mess and damage assessment later. For now I must find where he is."
In the distance he could hear laughing, as well as faint rumbling. No doubt that part was due to the Infernian trampling around. That would be yet another thing Regis would have to be aware and extremely cautious of.
"Never thought the day would come I would go up against an Astral. But if I am to do this, then these trials should be expected."
With a deep breath Regis stopped walking and held his stance. "To the one who dares destroy my kingdom, show yourself to me and cease this destruction!"
His voice echoed along the buildings, fading away in seconds. He breathed in slowly, waiting for something to happen. He stared all over, wondering if anything would happen at all.
"Ah, so the king actually decided to come greet his guest, how thoughtful," the voice of the guard said.
Regis had to put it out of his mind that it truly wasn't one of the Royal Guard. No matter how the voice sounded, the intonations and inflections were wrong. Part of him felt empty, knowing the real Guard most likely was no longer. But, he had to look past that, putting his emotions aside to focus on the task at hand.
Before him the guard appeared from what seemed like thin air, darkness trickling off his arms. "Ah, so this is the great and young King Regis I've heard so much about. Finally we met face to face."
"Yes, but I would say this isn't truly face to face," Regis replied.
"Oh? And how would you know that?"
"I know that you are not one of my Royal Guards… you are far closer to me than you appear to be."
Ardyn hummed softly, an odd look spreading across his face. "And you think you know the truth? If so, kindly tell me what you claim to know."
"You are a great ancestor to me. Though throughout family history you are written as the Adagium, you are actually Adryn Lucis Caelum."
That finally seemed to get through to the man. For the briefest moment his eyes seemed to widen, clearly caught off guard by this statement. His body even tensed up, making him look much stiffer and still even with the wind rushing against hi,. Though, he was quick to recover, going back to his normal composure, relaxng and letting a smirk cross his face. "Ah, so you do more than what I expected. Very well…"
There was a pause as he placed a finger to his ear, most likely to talk into an earpiece. "Looks like your plans will have to wait… Oh I do understand your position and your wishes, but I have something more important to attend to… It's a family matter. Please do wait for me though."
When he dropped his arm, the image of the Guard faded and Regis was finally able to see the true image of Ardyn. Even from the distance that he was, he could see the similar resemblance in the face. But seeing his cold, golden eyed gaze, he knew that he couldn't get lost in trying to analyse appearances.
"So my dear nephew Regis, how do you know of your uncle?"
"A source had informed me, and I wish to discuss some things with you. For the fate of the world," Regis said. He had prepared this almost like a script, thinking of every option he would need. Thankfully Ardyn asking the how and the why was one he had easily thought of right from the very start.
Ardyn huffed. "And why should I care about such things? I have my intentions of coming here and I wish to see them to fruition."
"And what would be…?"
Ardyn held up a hand towards the sky, his palm flat and upward. "Call forth the spirit of my brother. I wish to face him and take my revenge for all that he has done towards me." Afterwards he flicked his wrist down to point at Regis, indicating he wished to see what he wanted happen right away.
Regis shook his head. "I will do no such thing, but I do intend to help you. I believe your hate is misplaced."
"No! I must bring Insomnia to my knees and have my brother as witness! He will watch as I destroy everything he created! How else could my hate be misplaced?" Ardyn scowled foully, the Starscourge almost dripping from his face.
As much as it brought uncertainty and unease to Regis's heart, he breathed in slowly. He needed to keep his mind and body calm if he was to proceed without being too reckless. "It was the gods that deceived you, namely that of Bahamut."
Regis could hear the growls from his ancestral uncle. "The Draconian may stir my blood as he stood idle as my brother slaughtered my fiance, but my brother still caused the deepest pain. Call him forth or I shall do it for you."
Ardyn summoned his armiger, letting his weapons float around him. "This can only go one way."
Regis summoned his armiger, but he still had no intention of fighting, not unless he truly needed to. "I only wish to discuss. I don't wish to let it end like this. Wouldn't you rather the chance to heal? Live a life without pain and suffering?"
"What would you know about pain and suffering?!" Ardyn cursed.
He charged at Regis, bringing forth a sword and clashed it against one that Regis brought up. Sparks flew from the swords as they could not push one away from the other. The standstill held for a moment before Regis put all his weight into the attack as he was able to finally push Ardyn back.
"I will not summon the Founder King just for your desires," Regis scolded. "Instead let me help! For the benefit and prosperity of the future!"
"Benefit?! Prosperity?!" Ardyn scoffed. "What would you know about me that would require such things?"
"I know the future is bleak for you and my own future son," Regis admitted solemnly. This was the part that had haunted him the most. The one part of the future that kept him awake for these past few nights. If he didn't play his cards right, and if Ardyn didn't agree, all was going to be for naught. "I will speak out against the Draconian and say that we must not let him have his ways of the Prophecy."
"The Prophecy?" Ardyn narrowed his eyes. "You truly do seem to know more than you let on at first."
"I was given information… I cannot say much right now as I know the Draconian listens, but I wish to not let our futures go down a darker path. Let me help and I can give you the recognition you deserve."
"Giving me that now will not bring back what I lost. It will not heal what has been hurt!"
Regis nodded. "I know I cannot bring you such closure, but I hope I can help mend some wounds. Please, I know not exactly what it was that the Founder King did, but help me to understand without this destruction."
Ardyn stayed perfectly still at first, his eyes seemingly not even wavering. Regis stayed still though, even dismissing his weapon. "Let me help."
"Cease this discussion," Bahamut's voice echoed above them.
Though Regis could not see the Astral, he could sense his presence. It seemed to make the air crisp and thin. Every breath seemed to need to be slow and paced.
"What is it you want, Draconian?" Regis asked as he looked to the skies.
"The time for the Prophecy has yet to come. Do not attempt to change thy fate. It must be done as it is said."
Even Ardyn seemed to scoff at these words. "So what is it you wish us to do?"
"Ardyn Lucis Caelum, on my honor as the Bladekeeper, Bahamut… I shall not let thee become a slayer of kings."
"So you still give my brother's family the favor! You let them live their content lives, but refuse me when I ask for revenge. Why do the gods deny me my revenge!?"
Regis tensed up hearing Ardyn's plea. Even if it was something against his family, he could hear the pain and tiredness that resided in Ardyn's voice. He had been imprisoned for far longer than any mortal man should have. The toil that it took on his mind was probably great, and the way Bahamut sounded so uncaring twisted Regis's faith in him.
"Because thou hast been chosen to serve a different purpose," Bahamut answered. "To spread darkness throughout the world is thy true calling."
"And what do you mean by that?" Regis asked. "Answer us both Draconian! We deserve answers to this riddle you have given us."
"Soon, the True King will be born unto Lucis. He shall lead the people as their beacon of hope and drive away the darkness. In turn, thou shalt be his sacrifice—the limitless shadow that ushers in the light."
Regis was starting to feel sick. The dreaded that had been eating away at him ever since that visit finally was in full force. "You mean the True King is my son? My one and only child shall be a sacrificial lamb to your prophecy? You bring such a burden to my son who isn't born yet! As well as my ancestral uncle who you have cast aside as this terrible role!"
Ardyn scoffed, looking rather disgusted at the sky. "You mean I must suffer for longer? How much longer must I continue to suffer? Have I not done enough for you gods?!"
"When the True King awakens, summoning the power of his forebears, he shall at least relieve thee of thy suffering," Bahamut answered.
Before he could continue, Regis interrupted. "No!" I will not allow such a thing! I will not allow you to do this to any member of my family, be it son or uncle"
"You cannot defy the will of an Astral. The line of Lucis shall come to an end, and the revenge that the Adagium wishes to seek shall be found."
"But why? Why do you declare it must go this way?" Regis asked.
"It is ordained, and so it shall be," Bahamut stated.
"What a completely utterly shit response," Ardyn spat. "You declare I am to have my revenge but all because it's supposed to happen? What good is a life if we have no free will to do what we please?"
"I agree," Regis said quickly. "If the Astrals think they can control what we do in our lives, then what good are they to us?"
"For once," Ardyn said with a huff, "I think I may agree with you, nephew. I would prefer my choices to be my own and not one that the gods ordained for me."
The sky seemed to rumble above the two men, the clouds darkening within seconds. Regis could feel the magic from the crystal fuming from Bahamut.
"The choices you make are a dangerous one, Caelums. Defy thy destiny if thou dare, but know that it would grant thee a life of destruction and ruin to the world. Both of you should choose your next words wisely."
Ardyn summoned one of his swords, pointing up to the clouds. "Not once have I begged the gods for such a blessing. I prayed when there was kindness in my heart, but only for the benefit of the people. I would never wish to be sent to such a dark path! And I do not intend to kneel before you now!"
Walking forward, Regis stood a little closer. He summoned his own sword and held it up as well. "We will not let the gods choose our fate! We should be free to make the choices we want without influence from the Astrals."
"The fate bestowed upon a man cannot be changed. Thine impudence shall prove thine undoing, foolish mortals," Bahamut growled.
"Then come down and show us that we cannot defy fate!" Regis shouted.
