ffucc

by victortor

This is an exercise in futility. Or, the AU where Noct lives a double life, one as himself and the other as Lady Lunafreya, Oracle of Tenebrae.

13. Twenty-Four (Part 2)

the chapter starts with crying, has crying in the middle, and ends with crying. unsurprisingly, there will be crying in the next chapter and the one after that

i utilize horizontal lines (somewhat generously applied) for the first time and im honestly concerned whether this chapter is even coherent? pacing was thrown out the window and im terribly unconfident. if i have the willpower (i dont) i might edit it later

---

Noct opens his eyes.

The room is dark, and it takes him a while to remember where he is. Ignis and Prompto are sleeping in the adjacent bed, and Gladio has his arm on Noct's stomach. He sits up. Ever so slowly, he moves to the edge, gingerly places his feet on the ground, gets off the bed.

Ignis, the lightest sleeper, is the one who wakes up to the sound of Noct stumbling around. "Noct?" He asks quietly, careful not to wake any of the others up. "Are you alright?"

And Noct can only turn his head blankly at Ignis, who quickly grabs his glasses and gets up when he realizes that something is indeed wrong. "Noct?"

Noct looks at him with wide, desperate eyes, because what he's just seen happened so quickly, and he hasn't really realized what happened yet— because it could be summed up in a few sentences, my father died and they stole the crystal and Insomnia is gone— but shouldn't it mean so much more than that? It could never, should never be written into words because how can he describe what it all means, there's no way he could ever tell Ignis that the Kingsglaive defected, that he left his brother lying on the cold floor, leading his father into death, then leading a man that tried to save him to his demise (what a fool he was, he should have just let Luna put on the ring), that Clarus is dead and they are all dead, how many of the civilians survived, he doesn't know.

Luna has to be strong right now, she can't think about it. She mustn't show weakness to the enemy, so instead, Noct starts to cry. Ignis watches in horror as he starts to sniffle and wipe his tears in vain. "Noct, it's alright. Everything will be fine." Without hesitation, albeit somewhat awkwardly, he puts his arms around Noct and pats his back.

No, it's not alright, Noct thinks, and he says this as he's gasping for air. It's not alright because Niflheim won, and they've stolen everything.

"Mmm… Iggy?" Prompto mumbles sleepily from the bed. "Whass… goin' on?"

Ignis ignores him, and continues to keep his focus on Noct. "Did something happen?" Ignis asks soothingly, and the sentiment is appreciated, but Noct can still feel the dirt and the grime on Luna's clothing and he can't get away from it, from the smell of fire in the air and the crying refugees as they walk out as a group to the wastelands of Leide and beyond.

By now, even Gladio has stirred, and he sits up, grumbling. "Ignis, what the hell…"

"The papers," Noct gasps out. "Check the papers."

So Ignis goes out to grab the morning newspapers, and Prompto and Gladio move Noct back onto the bed.

"Did something happen yesterday?" Prompto asks frantically. "You've been out of it ever since we did that job for Dino."

Noct forces himself to calm down, control his breathing, and Ignis comes in, holding the paper, looking shaken. He turns toward Noct, holds it out. "How did you know?"

Insomnia Falls, the front headlines read. Noct doesn't bother looking at the rest. Gladio snatches the paper from Ignis and his face turns pale, then turns and hands it over to Prompto.

There is a silence in the hotel room, broken only by Noct struggling to keep his breathing even. There's no point in crying and moping about it, he thinks to himself harshly. Get up. Think about what to do next.

So Noct takes out his phone in the silence, and he dials the marshal.

---

"You know," Gladio speaks up afterwards. "You didn't ask the Marshal about my dad." The statement isn't heavy, it's not said with a weight, but it hits Noct like a blow to the chest, leaving him heaving and gasping for air.

"I…" Noct starts to say, but Gladio waves him off.

"I get it." Gladio says. "I'm… I'm just glad Iris is safe." It's so obviously a lie, and Noct looks at Gladio desperately, wanting to tell him that it's ok if you tell other people how you feel, it's ok because I will help you like you always help me, but Gladio has always been more stubborn than Noct and he's not sure if he can reach him now.

"You were there, weren't you?" Ignis speaks up, and Prompto quietens and turns to look at Noct. "That's why you knew before anyone else. You were at Insomnia."

"... Yeah." There's no way to hide that.

There's a million questions anyone could ask to that— who is Noct? Was he part of the Niflheim contingent, or did he deliberately break into the city so he could watch the signing? Or has he always been a Crown City citizen? But Ignis merely asks, "Are you safe right now?"

"As safe as I can be," Noct answers truthfully. "I'm not about to keel over and die, so that's something."

"So they took the Crystal," Prompto says. "But what about the ring?"

"No idea," Gladio answers. "I guess the marshal's about to tell us."

They meet Cor at the Tomb of the Wise. He stands there, his usual grim look even more sober than usual, his arms crossed. Noct's eyes are immediately drawn to the sword at his hip. It's one of his signature katanas, Kotetsu.

By all means, it shouldn't be there.

Cor tells him— he needs to collect the Royal Arms of his ancestors, scattered over the land at tombs. "Start with the Sword of the Wise," He offers, gesturing at the crypt beside him.

When it is done, Noct stands alone with Cor.

Cor has always been a strange one. He's famous, dubbed 'Cor the Immortal' for as long as anyone knows, for his prowess in combat. And sure, he's definitely strong, stronger than anyone Noct has ever known. But the marshal has always had something about him that makes Noct pause, look at him a bit oddly. He always looks more tired than anything else, always grim and frowning. Cor is middle-aged, but sometimes he acts as if he was there when the world was shaped into existence, and he's weary of all conflicts but he fights nevertheless. Noct can't really explain it.

"Drautos betrayed us," Noct states. "He was General Glauca all along, and he killed f— the king. Did you know?"

Cor winces. "I didn't. That day, I didn't even set foot near the Citadel. The king and Clarus planned it so that all Crownsguard would be guarding the civilians. They knew what was coming, and they didn't tell anyone."

Suddenly, a flash of anger strikes through Noct. "You should've been there," He tells Cor bitterly. "You would've been able to defeat Glauca."

Cor flinches, ever so slightly. "I'm sorry," He offers, defeated. "I have no excuses."

"Sorry," Noct replies automatically. "It's not your fault." He wraps his arms around himself in a weak attempt at comfort, and Noct knows he's just angry because unlike Cor, he was there and he had the potential to do something but he didn't, and that will never be able to leave his mind.

And that's the heart of the problem, isn't it? He was there. How can he be angry at anyone but himself? He knew everything that was going to happen, he had predicted the outcomes beforehand, and it hadn't even mattered. It hadn't mattered, now it will never matter again.

Focus, he reminds himself. Where does he need to go, and what does she need to do next? Brushing away her thoughts, Luna squints up at the overcast sky. There are million things she can think right now, that she can use to push herself down. None of them are necessary.

"The time of the covenant is come," Gentiana tells her, and Pryna and Umbra run in circles around them. "The Chosen must take a pact with the gods."

She doesn't even try to register the words. Don't think about it, she says to herself harshly. There is a time and place for everything, and until she can truly rest, she won't think about anything.

But still, tired, dirty, staring blankly ahead, Luna tips her head. She had hoped… she had wondered, maybe. Maybe she would have been able to travel with them.

The Regalia has an empty seat in the back.

But Noct needs to build up his Armiger, busy trying to reach the Axe of the Conqueror, and Luna needs to go right now, before Niflheim finds her, takes her back to the empire, and takes the ring. There are two Astrals she must call on in Lucis, and before she is located she must call to both the Archaean and the Fulgarian.

Squatting down, she smiles fondly at Umbra, who licks her hand. Perhaps she can send the ring to Noct directly? No, she decides, because although Pryna and Umbra can reach anyone, they can also be killed or captured, so it is too risky.

By keeping the ring with her, it acts as two defense mechanisms. One, if she is indeed captured, she can use the ring as a last resort, emphasis on last. Luna's never been more scared of a circular strip of metal in her life. Two, it's a promise. As Oracle, she can't rest until she delivers it to Noct. The wedding has been cancelled, her hopes and that beautiful Westwood dress placed to the side. But if she can deliver it to Noct in person, that means she can still meet with them all. Luna is very tired of being alone.

So, with Gentiana trailing behind, she follows the cheerless, wretched crowd onward to Duscae. It is a long and arduous journey. They are carried in small vans, and once night comes they stop at a haven. Many are injured, some sick. Luna tries her best to help them. When she does, and the golden glow comes pouring out, the people look at her with surprise and wonderment, because reports say she and Noct are dead. "Lady Lunafreya, you're alive! You're alive!"

Yes, I am alive, she tells them with a smile she doesn't quite mean. I am alive.

I am not alive, she wants to tell them.

By the time they reach Lestallum in the Cleigne region, Luna is exhausted. Her body aches, and she can barely feel her left arm anymore. Mass healing is always tiring, and she hasn't gotten a proper rest since she left Tenebrae. But she has to leave immediately to the Disc of Cauthess, for the Archaean awaits. By car, she would have reached the Meteor in minutes, but alas, despite the friendly atmosphere of Lestallum, there are not many who are willing to give rides. Luna checks the chocobo rental as well, but it appears that due to some monster roaming the Duscae region, chocobos are not available either. So, she walks on foot. It's not a very pleasant experience.

At the Disc of Cauthess, once she finally gets there, it is clear that the empire has set up a blockade. She's disappointed, but not surprised. After all, Luna knows that Niflheim has a vested interest in the gods. Shiva's demise by the hands of the empire only a few months before had rocked all of Eos. What's shocking about it, though, is that despite there being a gate, it is bereft of guards and it's simply wide open, allowing anyone to go through.

Stumbling beyond the gates, Luna follows the path down and down until the flames lick at her heels and the air is so hot if feels like she's suffocating. "Gentiana, my trident," She murmurs.

Gentiana hands it to her, and Luna grips it tightly in her right hand, and she starts to sing. It's ancient, ancient magic, the kind that her mother had whispered to her in her ear as a child and she had sung to her as she slept, and the light comes pouring out her trident. The air is saturated with heat and magic.

The rocks shift and tumble, and what Luna thought was simply a smooth, steep cliff turns and—

To what have you called me, Oracle? Titan rumbles, and his voice rebounds from boulder to boulder, making Luna wince. The Meteor is atop him, yet the Archaean stands tall. He's massive, his red eye staring at her intently.

Luna swallows hard, and makes her request with a strained voice. "O Archaean," She calls, "Hear my plea. Forge a covenant with the King of Kings." The Archaean is not known as the most temperamental of the Astrals (that title will forever go to Ifrit the Betrayer, followed shortly by the Hydraean), but he is most certainly not a pushover. She honestly doesn't know whether he will agree.

The Chosen will be tested, Titan tells her after a lengthy pause, and only then will the pact be formed.

Luna is about to sigh in relief, and then she processes what he's saying and immediately begins to panic. A test? What kind of test?

Breathe, she thinks, and she proceeds to thank the Archaean, who twists and turns until she can no longer see his face and his body is indistinguishable from the rocks around it.

Pain immediately hits her, and Luna gasps and falls to her feet. Gentiana crouches beside her and rests her hand on Luna's back. Pryna barks. Everything is spinning, she feels nauseous, and she's an inch away from fainting. She's choking on nothing, she can't move anything, and Noct gives out a little wheeze and bites his lip until it starts to bleed.

It recedes after a few minutes — it felt like an eternity, but Noct checks his phone and practically no time has passed at all— and she struggles back onto her feet. Things will only get worse, Luna reminds herself. Don't complain now; it will only get worse.

The price of the covenant is death.

---

Noct and the others help Cor and Monica break through the imperial blockade created between Leide and Duscae, and they're off to Lestallum, where Iris is.

"It's the wetlands!" Prompto exclaims excitedly, snapping photos of practically everything. "It's so weird, how this and the desert are right next to each other."

"Ignis, actually, can we take a detour?" Noct speaks up. "I'd like to go to the chocobo ranch before we head to Lestallum." He's not sure what exactly is going on with the chocobos, but it would greatly improve Luna's ability to travel if they become available again.

Confused, Ignis acquiesces nonetheless. Prompto cheers and Gladio hums, still suspiciously quiet in the aftermath of the attack.

"Guys, I just realized," Prompto says, after Deadeye is taken care of. "This is totally like King's Knight. There's four of us, just like in the game!"

"Oh, shut up."

After that, there's no more detours and they arrive at Lestallum the next day. Iris greets them at the Leville, the hotel she, Talcott, and Jared have been staying at for the moment.

"Gladdy!" She exclaims as she runs towards him, and Gladio grins and spins her around.

It's late, and they spend the night chatting and catching up, and Iris quietly tells them everything she saw while she was still in the capital.

"It was terrible," She says. "Most of the city is still intact, but still. I don't think I'll ever be able to look at Insomnia without thinking of that night again."

Prompto switches subjects quickly, sensing that it's a sore subject for all them. "Have you met with the marshal?" He asks Iris.

The mention of Cor makes Noct jerk up, and he remembers something he'd noticed when they met in the Tomb of the Wise. "He still had his sword." He says aloud. "The ability to materialize weapons came from da— the king, and he's d-dead. How does Cor still have Kotetsu? He should've lost his weapon the moment he lost his magic."

Ignis frowns thoughtfully. "Both Dustin and Monica had no weapons on them," He notes. "That is indeed an interesting point. I wonder how the marshal managed to find a loophole."

It's later that night, when Noct thinks, is it really a loophole? Cor has somehow managed to bypass the consequences that were dealt to the Crownsguard. It's simply not possible, because he has no magic left to materialize weapons.

Niflheim managed to break the Wall. To a certain extent, they could manipulate the Crystal's magic.

Stop it.

Traitor, his brain offers. In cahoots with the empire. Titus Drautos was General Glauca, and he murdered your parents. Cor Leonis could easily be the same.

Stop it, Noct thinks, and he drifts off to an uneasy sleep.

---

The next morning, Noct wakes up and the sun is high in the sky and the room is empty. Outside, Iris greets him brightly. "The others went off to explore the town," She tells him. "They didn't want to wake you up. But we can just go by ourselves! We haven't had a day together like this since forever!"

So Noct and Iris set out, and she leads him through the narrow alleys to the bustling marketplace, and they ooh and aah over some of the wares the merchants have set up for a bit.

"Noct, have I ever told you that I really, really, love moogles?" Iris asks him gravely as she examines a moogle plushie. "I really, really like them. I think I want to marry one."

Noct puts both hands on her shoulders. "I understand," He tells her seriously. "If Gladio doesn't approve, I'll give you my blessing as your brother-in-law. It's almost the same thing."

Iris giggles. "The wedding has to be moogle-themed. We need a moogle cake, moogle napkins, moogle attire— all the guests have to be wearing a moogle suit. Except you, Noct, you can wear a cactuar costume."

"Nice. Can I do the pose too?"

"Oh my god, yes!" Iris exclaims, and then, "Ok, but all joking aside, when are you and Gladdy gonna get married?"

"Iris, I was literally engaged two days ago." Noct says, and his hands are suddenly clammy again.

"Yeah, but you're not now, are you?" Iris responds sensibly, but then she notices the way Noct doesn't have quite the same cheer as he usually does, and she narrows her eyes. "What did Gladdy do this time?"

"Not everything I'm worried about is related to Gladio," Noct protests, but Iris only rolls her eyes. "I know my brother, Noct," She says. "He's dumb. He'll always make you worried. So, what's wrong?"

Noct shifts, uncomfortably aware that he's in a bustling marketplace. "Let's get out of the way first," He suggests, so Iris leads him to the borders of the town, next to the EXINERIS power plant.

"Isn't it cool?" She asks him. "They take energy from the Meteor and convert it into electricity. And only women work in the plant. They do all the labor in Lestallum. Isn't that amazing?"

"Huh." Noct tilts his head. "I wonder how that happened."

"What, do you not approve?" At that, Iris sticks her tongue out at him. "Women power for the win, Noct! You just don't get it cause you're a guy."

"Hey, rude." Noct wants to tell her that he understands perfectly what she means, and just because a guy doesn't mean he's always a guy— but yeah, that doesn't make sense at all out of context. But he knows what Iris is talking about; as Noct, he really doesn't have any right to determine how women should live their lives. "It's not bad, I suppose, just different. I was just curious as to how it ended up being like that."

"Dunno," Iris chirps, and leans on the railing. In a softer voice, she asks, "So, what's the deal with Gladdy?"

Noct hesitates. "I'm not sure what to say," He admits. "There's nothing actually wrong, and I meant what I said about it not really being about Gladio. I guess it's just more about myself? With all the stuff that's been happening, I haven't really thought about things much. Wait no, scratch that. I've been making myself not think about it. I guess it's my way of functioning after, umm, you know."

"After the king?" Iris states bluntly. "I'd tell you that was bad, but honestly, I'm doing the same thing."

"What?"

"Noct, do you really think I'm this happy?" Iris looks a bit grim, and she smooths down her skirt. "It's easier to pretend to be fine right now than think about it. The next few months are going to be hard, especially for you guys. The empire is actively chasing after you all. You have to worry about Lady Lunafreya, the ring, the future of Lucis, and the Crystal. I'd be ignoring it too."

"I wish I was angry," Noct admits. "I wish I was pissed off, because then I could at least focus on beating the empire. But my thoughts are all over the place, and sometimes I don't know what to do. Ignis already worries enough about me, I don't want to burden Prompto, and Gladio… he's not telling me anything, but I know he's having the same problem as me."

Iris is silent for a bit, and then she says, "Gladdy and I are kinda similar like that. We try to take our minds off things by doing something productive and pretending we have a handle on everything. I saw him yesterday, and I guess you're right. He's acting just a bit off. Can't blame him, though."

"At least it's somewhat productive. I just feel stuck. There's a million things I could be doing, and I'm trying, but I always just end up trying not to think about thinking," Noct wrings his hands together. "I envy you and Gladio. You two have been through so much, and you seem to be doing ok."

"Don't say that," Iris replies sharply, and Noct turns towards her in surprise. "Noct, you've been through just as much. Both of our dads are dead, and it was your kingdom that just fell to the empire. Don't envy me. Don't envy Gladio. Just… you don't get it, do you? I don't think I'll ever go back to Insomnia."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't do it," Iris admits. "Maybe it'll change later, but I can't even stand to consider the Crown City right now. I'm not ok, Noct. My dad died there, how could anyone expect me to go back? I don't want to back there. I like Lestallum— maybe it wouldn't be so bad to live here for a while; get a job in the factory after I turn 18. I wouldn't even mind if Jared and Talcott went back to Insomnia without me after we get it back. I can take care of myself."

Noct can't even begin to fathom what Iris is thinking. "But… Insomnia is your home."

"I know. But I just can't, ok?" And to Noct's horror, Iris sniffs. "I don't know what I'm doing, and I'm not ready to go back. It doesn't feel like I'll ever be ready to back. If I went back to my house, and dad's not even there— he won't ever be there during dinner anymore, I'll never have another fight with him again, I won't ever be able to hear his voice— how could I go back?

"Don't envy me, Noct, because I really don't think I'm very enviable right now. I think you're going to be ok though, eventually. I hope I can be, too." Iris gives him a watery smile. "I'm sure Gladdy would appreciate it if you talked to him. And you said you're scared of worrying the others right? I can get that, but don't ever let anyone tell you how to grieve. Not Ignis, not Prompto, not me, not even Gladdy. Take as much time as you need. Do it in whatever way you need. And I think we're all going to be alright."

"... Yeah. Yeah, we're going to be alright," Noct echoes, not quite meaning it, but he can feel the hope in the words nevertheless.

Iris is very much like Gladio, where they appear so much older than they actually are. They know when to fool around, when to be serious. They act maturely, they're emotionally adept. Iris might say she's struggling, but it's amazing in itself that she knows how she feels, what it means, and can identify what she wants to do in response. Noct and Luna can't do that. Iris is practically a decade younger, but she feels so much older.

Don't ever let anyone tell you how to grieve, she tells him.

He'll bear that in mind.

---

Noct winces as another headache comes forth, and throughout the entire time they fight through Glacial Grotto, it just keeps building and building. The others ask him if he's ok, and he grits his teeth and tells them that he probably needs to visit the Disc. The migraine is most likely the cause of Titan, trying to call Noct to him.

So after Noct manages to get a hold of the Swords of the Wanderer, they tie up some loose ends, finishing some monster quests they've taken on and some favors they've made to Cindy and some others. After that, the plan is to set off to the Disc of Cauthess.

There's a quiet lull in between battles, where they're resting at a motel in the middle of nowhere. Noct's sitting out on the roof, and a light rain is coming down.

"Hey!" A voice pipes up, and Prompto walks up and sits beside him. "You're sitting awfully close to edge. Don't get 'noct' off."

"Stop. I get enough from Ignis, and the puns are even worse coming from you."

Prompto only laughs, and dangles his legs off the edge. "I love you too, bro. Man, I can't believe we're doing this. After everything that's happened, I got to go on this adventure with you all. I know everyone hasn't been in the best of spirits, but still, I'm glad to be here."

There's a pause, but Noct feels like Prompto is trying to say something else, something deeper, and he just doesn't know how. "Couldn't have made it this far without you," He tells him, trying to prompt him into spitting it out.

Prompto brightens. "You really think so? I've been helpful?"

"Of course you were, you doofus." Noct rolls his eyes affectionately. "Why would you think otherwise? There's a reason I asked you to come with me."

"It's just…" Prompto shifts uncomfortably. "I'm nothing special, you know? I don't have any talents that could really help you, like Gladio and Ignis. I can't cook. I can't even fight that well. I'm the weak link in the chain, I get it. So… I just want to say thanks. For letting me come."

Alarmed, Noct leans in close to shake him. "Don't say stuff like that. Prompto, you're great. You're not the weak link of anything, alright? I'm serious, you can ask anyone and they'd tell you otherwise."

"But," Prompto protests, and Noct's actually concerned, because he has no idea where this is coming from, and this is the first time in a long time Prompto has opened up to him this much. Noct knows he's not the most attentive of people, but surely he didn't miss all this self doubt through the years, did he? "But, I'm… I… I tried really hard, when we first met, for you to like me. I just… don't ever feel like I'm doing enough."

"Prompto, listen to me," Noct asks desperately. "Please don't stay stuff like that. Have I ever given you a reason for you to doubt yourself?"

To his horror, Prompto turns red and looks away. "It wasn't anything like that," He mutters, trying to deny it. "It was my fault and it was a long time ago, we were only kids, and I don't really think you meant it that way." But Noct is already miles away, spinning out of axis, trying to puzzle through the mystery Prompto's presented to him, and he can slowly see the pieces starting to fit together.

Prompto had said when they first met. High school? No, elementary, after the incident with Pryna. The first time they talked, Prompto tripped over something, Noct can't remember what, but he helped him up. And then what? Noct left, probably. What else happened? The more he tries to think, the more he thinks about how Prompto avoided him for years after that, and his massive change afterwards. What was it that triggered it? Was it something Noct said or did?

And then all of a sudden, it comes to him. Prompto had fallen to the ground, and Noct had offered his hand. Back then, he was still weak from the injury from when the Marilith had struck, and pulling him up had been a struggle. What had he said—

"You're heavy," Noct breathes out, and Prompto looks like a deer caught in headlights. "I said that, didn't I? Don't try to deny it."

He looks at his feet, obviously unhappy. "Look, I know you didn't mean it like that, ok? It was just my own self esteem getting in the way, like it is now. Just don't worry about it, it's in the past."

"No, I'm sorry, Prompto," Noct says, and shushes the blond when he tries to protest. "You can say whatever you want, but it's clear that it's been bothering you for a long time. I wasn't even thinking about what you looked like back then, when I said that. I've never cared about what you look like, and I hope you know that."

"I know that," Prompto says, and his freckles are more pronounced in his embarrassment. "It's fine, you don't—"

"Just because I didn't mean anything by it doesn't mean I shouldn't apologize. Because you're my friend, and I caused you a lot pain that I didn't mean. Isn't that worth saying sorry for?" And Noct feels terrible, because that means— that means all those years he was wondering what Prompto was trying to do, he was working his ass off to lose weight (and his weight is something Noct's never even noticed, never even noted in his own mind) because he thought Noct would like him better that way. "I like you the way you are, Prompto. And don't try and do anything for me or anyone else. You're always trying to make people laugh so you can feel better about who you are— yes, I caught that, don't act so surprised— and that's ok, but one day I hope you can feel good about yourself no matter what you do."

"Noct, I…" Prompto brushes wet hair out of his face, fiddles with his wristbands. "It's a lot more complicated than that. You don't get it. When I was younger, I felt terrible about myself— my personality, my body, all of me. I wasn't in a very good place. You helped me to look at myself and think, I can be someone better than this, and that I could change myself. I needed that push from you.

"What you said, about being happy with the way I am right now, I don't think I could ever be that. I want to be better, and sure, a part of it is because I don't want to disappoint you all. But it's more than that. Or at least, I want it to be more than that. I want to think, I need to be better, and make it so that it's just for myself, not anyone else. So yeah, in a way I guess you're right. But I don't ever want to stop being better, you know?

"But… thanks, Noct, for apologizing." Prompto smiles at him weakly. " I guess I shouldn't have said all that stuff, huh? Sorry for that, I guess. Didn't want to bombard you with a bunch of me problems."

"You're a big idiot," Noct announces, like the whole world doesn't already know. "One time you told me that you'd respect my secrets, and then I told you I'd respect yours. But that doesn't mean you can't tell me things. I care about you. I love you. Like you said, things have been pretty wild, but that doesn't change any of this. You're allowed to feel however you want, and I'm not going to stop you, alright? No one is going stop you, you're just as good as Ignis and Gladio, and you can do whatever you want. Don't you dare forget any of that."

Don't you dare forget, Noct thinks, and he tries to glare Prompto into submission, who's eyes are shining and he gives Noct a friendly clap on the shoulder and says, "I won't. Promise."

The next day they head back to Lestallum, handing in the last of the supplies they needed to deliver to the various merchants around the town, and they're finally ready to set off to the Disc, when an unexpected and unwelcome visitor is found leaning on the side of the Regalia.

"Why, hello!" Ardyn Izunia greets them cheerfully. "Fancy meeting the four of you here. What a charming little town, wouldn't you agree? It has its rustic merits, I would think, although it's certainly no Insomnia."

"Chancellor Izunia," Ignis returns coolly. "What brings you here?"

He doesn't even try to pretend that their meeting was chance. "You desire a meeting with the Archaean, yes?" Ardyn adjusts his hat. "Surely you remember that the Disc of Cauthess is currently under imperial control, fully armed and guarded. I, of course, being the kind soul that I am, will help you get in. What do you say, do we have a deal?"

"What's the catch?" Gladio bites out, bristling and ready to strike.

Ardyn puts his hand to heart, as if he's been offended. "Why, who do you think I am? I require nothing in return, simply that you do not kill me as I am guiding you there."

"... What do you want?" Noct asks. He can't make sense of it at all. What would he gain from this? Besides, when Luna had went, there had been no one at the guard stations, as if it had been purposefully abandoned, which means the chancellor had intentionally let Luna through. Why, though? The empire does not want the covenant to happen.

Ardyn's laughter interrupts his thoughts, and he practically cackles, walking up to Noct. "How foolish can you get?" He asks softly. "Do you really not know, my dear?"

So wonderful to finally meet you, my dear.

Oh, my dear, you are much too kind.

Noct immediately draws back, causing Gladio to position himself between him and the chancellor protectively. Ignis materializes his daggers, and Prompto places himself in a defensive stance next to Noct.

'My dear.' What he called Luna. How did he know? Just how deep has the empire dug into the secrets of the Lucis kings? Is it common knowledge within the upper ranks of the imperial forces? No, something isn't right. If that was the case, they never would have let Luna go to Insomnia. They would've known she had familial ties there, and even for their plan, Noct doesn't think it's worth the risk. Niflheim doesn't know; Ardyn Izunia does, and for some reason, he hasn't informed anyone.

It's too late to pretend not to have any idea what he's talking about, so Noct simply flattens out his expression. They need this audience with the Archaean, and both he and the chancellor know this. He's proud that his voice barely shakes when he says, "We accept your proposition."

Ardyn only widens his smile. "Very well. You see, my dear, there's no reason to mistrust me. After all, you and I ultimately have the same goal."

"You destroyed Insomnia, stole the Crystal, and helped kill my f-father," Noct says. "What part of that intersected with my interests?"

Ardyn only chuckles louder. "I haven't laughed this hard in a long time, my dear," He says, wiping away tears from his eyes. "You're far too amusing. Just how ignorant are you?"

"I don't understand."

"That's quite alright," Ardyn answers. "You won't have to."

"What was it that got you so spooked?" Gladio asks him, while the Regalia trails behind Ardyn's car (how he managed to get it into Lucis, Noct has no idea). "You looked like he stabbed you in the stomach."

"You don't want to know," Noct responds darkly. "What I'm more concerned about right now is how he found us. He knew we were going to go to the Disc."

"It's not impossible to deduce," Ignis remarks. "The amount of earthquakes recently have been abnormal, and it's obvious to anyone that the Archaean is restless. What strikes me as odd is how he knew we were in Lestallum at that particular moment."

Noct frowns. Something about that last statement strikes him as familiar, and he feels a sudden sense of deja vu. He's been in this situation before, hasn't he? Where he wasn't expecting to be found, but he was. And then—

"Ah, fuck." Every single fucking time. First the hairpin, now this. Noct just doesn't learn, does he? "I bet he's tracking us. That oracle ascension coin he gave us at Galdin Quay, we still have it, right?"

"You mean you think it's a tracking device?" Prompto asks as Noct fishes it out of his inventory of items and throws it out of the speeding Regalia. "Guess that would make sense. Welp, it's gone now."

Ardyn drops them off at the edge of the Disc and bids them farewell, and Noct and the others descend down the familiar rocky slope. As it turns out, what Titan had meant by a test was engaging in combat with a nigh immortal Astral that can literally kill Noct with a sweep of a hand, and it only gets worse when imperial dropships start appearing over the edge of the crater, and Niflheim begins to fire at the Archaean. But he manages to live. Somehow. It might have something to do with Gladio shaking him and telling him to stop freaking out, and Ignis and Prompto's Blizzara magic, which they promptly use once they manage to get reunited.

"We can't stay here for much longer!" Ignis yells, batting flames away. "You've received the Mark, Noct? Then let us hurry on out, before we burn to a crisp."

"Easier said than done, Iggy!" Gladio shouts back, and grabs Prompto to keep him from falling into a fire.

"Would you like a hand?" A voice calls out from above, and Ardyn stands atop an airship, smiling genially down at them. "I can take you out of here, free of charge."

(He then proceeds to steal the Regalia.)

---

Luna rents a chocobo at the next outpost she stops at, and all of a sudden travel is a lot easier and safer. The birds, however, won't stand to go into Fociaugh Hollow with her, so she ventures into the dungeon with only Gentiana and her dogs by her side.

Ramuh is infinitely easier to deal with Titan, and seeing as the Archaean was by no means wrathful, that is saying something. Again, though, he has a test he wishes for Noct to pass. The familiar ache hits her once the deal is made, and Luna can't stop herself from screaming this time. She waits for the pain to retreat once again. It lessens, but doesn't fade.

It probably never will.

She needs to go to Altissia now, where the Hydraean slumbers. Frankly, Luna has no idea how she will manage that. As of now, both she and Noct still have no access to the other continent. Jared had said he was looking for a way, so maybe she should simply head back to Lestallum and wait for Noct to meet with the Fulgarian, then head to Altissia together.

Stepping out of the cave, she squints as bright light filters through the trees. It temporarily blinds her, but once her vision clears, she steps back in horror, because she had thought they hadn't known, she thought she was being discreet, how did they find her—

"Sister," Ravus greets her coolly, his metal appendage glinting ever so slightly. Around him, dozens of magitek troopers point their weapons at her. "Do not attempt to resist. There are blockades that will keep you from exiting the Duscae region. I am taking you back home."

Without hesitation, Luna whips out the ring, but quick as a flash, Ravus is by her side and he grabs her arm. "Have you gone mad?" He hisses. "Do you not know the price of the ring?"

"I could say the same to you," Luna bites back, a not-so-subtle dig at his new arm. "Please, Ravus. Let me go."

"The empire wants you dead," Ravus tells her, ignoring her remarks. "They want the ring. I shall take you and Gentiana back to Tenebrae, where you will be safe." Luna looks up at her brother in surprise, and he loosens his grip once he knows she will listen. "Please, Lunafreya. Come with me. It is not safe for you to be in Lucis."

Luna frowns and thinks about what Ravus has said. This… actually solves her problem of reaching the other continent. She needs to get to Altissia quickly, before Noctis, so she can negotiate with the first secretary about the Hydraean, the only Astral residing near such a large city. The sooner she can reach Accordo, the better. She's not sure how she will convince Ravus to let her leave Tenebrae, but she'll take it a step at a time.

"I will go with you," Luna says slowly, sounding out the words. "So long as you promise not to take the ring from me."

"It is done." Ravus responds quickly, far too quickly, and this doesn't sound like her brother at all. He's usually all for the empire's plans, and even if whatever lingering sentiment he has for Luna stops him from killing her, there's nothing stopping him from taking the ring.

What are you planning, Luna wants to ask the stranger in front of her, but she simply takes his hand as he leads her into an aircraft, back to their home.

---

Meeting Ramuh is more tedious than anything, Noct would like to think, and his test is most definitely not as nerve wracking as Titan's. Throughout the entire time, he's more worried about the Regalia than anything else. The Fulgarian, known for his wisdom, is sure to see the value in the covenant, so Noct isn't too concerned about it.

Their car, however, not only holds sentimental value, but it's the key for travel around Lucis. Stuck to riding chocobos, the group's travelling speed has been greatly reduced. Ignis is having Cindy try to locate it, but chances are the car is at an imperial base.

After he receives the Mark of the Fulgarian, Cindy calls and tell them she's located the Regalia at Aracheole Stronghold. "Looks like the Niffs are plannin' to ship the girl out," She says over the phone, her usually cheerful voice serious. "If you wanna get her back, you'd best get going."

They infiltrate the base that night, and amidst shutting down the main generator that empowers the imperial troopers, Noct summons for the first time. They're completely surrounded, completely outnumbered, and Noct feels a tug at his gut and magic sizzles in his ears, he lets instinct take over and he pulls.

The lightening sky darkens, clouds gather and thunder rumbles, and it's possibly one of the most terrifying experiences Noct has ever been in. Ramuh's Judgement completely obliterates the surrounding area, the ground black and cracking, the heat of the bolt heavy in the air. The four are the only ones that remain in the smoking aftermath.

"I think I'm starting to get why this whole covenant thing is necessary," Prompto says in a very small voice.

"What, you didn't before?" Noct returns as the glow in his eyes fades and the sky returns to its orange hue.

"Well, I knew that you knew what you were doing, but I was kind of confused." Prompto says as they walk to the Regalia. "Before we went to the Disc, all of a sudden you were like 'I need to speak with the Archaean,' without any warning. I have no idea how you knew that. And then afterwards, you had us travel all over Duscae for Ramuh. How did you even know that we needed to visit all those places?"

"Oh." Noct hadn't really thought about it, but it must seem rather odd to the others, as if he instinctively just knows what to do. He settles for a half truth. "Well, you guys knew about the headaches and stuff. For Ramuh, I kinda just followed the lightning in the sky, and things turned out fine."

"But how did you even know that the headaches and the lightning were because of the Astrals?" Prompto persists. "I mean, I don't usually see a storm coming and think, 'Oh hey look, Ramuh wants to see me!' If you know what I mean."

"According to the Cosmogony, it is the Oracle's duty to awaken the Astrals," Ignis says. "Has Lady Lunafreya contacted you?"

"Yes," lies Noct, although the comment is entirely incorrect.

"I hadn't seen Pryna or Umbra," Gladio points out as the Regalia comes into view, raising an eyebrow. "What, did they come when you were taking a shit or something?"

Noct hesitates. Maybe he should just… tell them? The chancellor already knows, and it bothers him that the enemy knows more about him than his friends. But the empire still doesn't, it could be dangerous. Ignis and Gladio probably wouldn't appreciate knowing. They're both officially Crownsguard, and Crownsguard means rules, regulations, and Noct's Safety Always Comes First. There are simply things, no matter the circumstance, that should never be told, and this is most certainly one of them.

Ah, screw it. Noct opens his mouth. "I'm—"

"Uh, guys." Prompto interrupts, pointing behind them, "We've got a guest."

When Noct turns around, he sees the last person he had ever expected to see.

"What are you doing here?" Is out of his mouth before he can control himself, and he barely manages to stop himself from clapping his own mouth shut. He takes an aggressive step forward.

"Noctis," Ravus greets him flatly, his expression even more chilly than it usually is. "Long has it been."

Noct grits his teeth. "I said, what are you doing here?"

"You receive the Storm's blessing," Ravus replies bitterly, which answers nothing. "But you know nothing of the consequences." He steps closer and closer, until all of a sudden the tip of his blade is pointed at Noct's neck.

Only it's not his blade, Noct realizes. It's King Regis' sword.

A deep, burning anger bubbles up in Noct, because Ravus is here, threatening him with death with his father's sword, calling him ignorant the same way the chancellor does, acting — like always— like he knows everything, that he is always right. What do you know of the consequences, Ravus? There is no one that understands what all of this means better than Noct. He's always blaming, pointing his finger blindly, incriminating the innocent, and now that he is here, shouting Luna will die and it will be all your fault, and Noct has reached the end of his patience for his foolish, stupid brother.

He can see Gladio moving out of the corner of his eye; he gives a quick motion for him to stop. "Who are you to say that?" Noct challenges him, not wavering, even when Ravus presses his father's sword into his skin. "You don't even get the consequences of your own actions, you dog of the empire. They killed your parents, and here you are, the High Commander of their army. You're at the emperor's beck and call, aren't you—"

Ravus' face contorts into an ugly snarl. Incensed, Noct summons his Armiger, primed and ready. He's ready to fight, he's so ready to shred his brother into pieces, him and his piling wrongs and gleaming metal arm and stolen sword.

"— I'd say that's far enough," Ardyn Izunia speaks up, a genial smile on his face as always. "Settle down, children. Having a sibling spat, are we?"

"Do not mock me," Ravus hisses, interpreting the chancellor's words as figurative, but he backs down nonetheless.

Ardyn gives him a parody of a bow, then turns his attention to Noct. "I've done you yet another favor, my dear. You'll note that the are no more blockades around Duscae. And now, we take our leave. The high commander and I have some business to attend to concerning a certain deity, so I'm certain we shall meet again."

So they're going Altissia for Leviathan. Noct licks his lips, heart still beating fast and anger still wrapped around him. None of them relax until Ravus turns heel and both the chancellor and high commander are out of sight.

Out of sight, not out of mind.

But when they finally return, Lestallum is not the same town they had departed from. Noct can practically hear the misery echoing in the alleyways, and they hurry to the Leville.

"Oh, Gladdy," Iris says, and she's just standing at the entrance of the hotel, her eyes glazed and unfocused. She looks smaller than she is. "The empire came while you were gone."

---

It's just a blow after another.

"Talcott and I are going to Caem," Iris says quietly. "We'll start over there. Build a new home."

She's running away, Noct realizes, the same way she ran away from Insomnia. She's leaving Lestallum and all the hopes and dreams she had here in order to forget the pain. But don't ever let anyone tell you how to grieve, Iris reminds him, and Noct doesn't say anything.

But Cape Caem, west of Galdin Quay, is no less inland of the aforementioned port, and Monica tells them that Jared has— had secured them a boat to Altissia. "Your father's old boat, the one he used in his younger days. It's in bad shape, but we have Cid on the job."

Their departure from Lestallum is bittersweet, and Ignis drives them down south toward the cape. Iris seats herself between Noct and Gladio, and her smile is just as bright as it's always been— even brighter, maybe. She cracks jokes, makes sarcastic comments, takes a lot of selfies with Prompto, and Noct's not sure how they've made it without her for so long.

He says that aloud, and Iris gives him a confused look. "Umm, duh? I'm Iris Amicitia— no one can live without me?" But she can't hide her smile, and Noct rolls his eyes. "I'm pretty sure you're confusing the names," He responds. "I guarantee you, Noctis Lucis Caelum is the guy you need. He'll improve your quality of life in minutes."

Iris sticks her tongue out at him, and she's about to make some snappy comeback when Gladio speaks up. "Could you stop with the ego contest?"

So they reluctantly settle back into their seats, and Gladio adds slyly, "Besides, the only treasure of this world is me."

"Overruled." Noct and Iris speak in unison.

In the front, Prompto pokes at Ignis. "Are you seeing this?" He mock whispers, and he sounds close to tears. "They're like a domestic family in the back."

"I can't take my eyes off the road, Prompto." Ignis reminds him patiently. "But it does sound like the family friendly edition of a pissing contest, so yes, I see your point. And for future reference, 'domestic family' is not a term."

"Oh my god, are you throwing shade? Iggy's totally throwing shade." Prompto lets out an excited noise. "I got to hear the legend roast people!"

"Wait, what do you mean by legend, Prompto?" Iris turns to him curiously, and Ignis lets out a quiet little sigh.

This is going to be awkward to explain. "Oh, uh, so a few years back, Ignis came up with one recipe too many, and then I sort of turned it into a meme," Noct explains. "So now whenever he does anything vaguely memeable, Prompto gets really excited. He also sometimes refers to Ignis as 'the legend.' Yeah."

Prompto adjusts himself so that he's sitting backwards in his seat, facing Iris. "You don't understand, it's not just a meme." He informs her earnestly. "It's gonna be the meme that will outlive us all. Iggy's gonna be a myth among myths, the ultimate meme of legends."

Iris only looks more confused as Ignis sighs again.

"Hey, Iggy, do it right now," Noct says, his voice strained as he tries to keep himself from cracking up. There's no point in laughing at a joke that hasn't happened yet. "C'mon."

"Brace yourself, Iris," Gladio mutters, a smirk on his face. "This is going to be wild."

"On three," Prompto announces. "One, two…"

"That's it! I've come up with a new recipeh!" The four of the shout in unison, with varying levels of enthusiasm.

At that, Noct buckles over in laughter, tears coming out of his eyes as he wheezes. "It's so dumb," He exclaims, and Gladio's laughing too, the really stupid one he always does when he really means it. "It's so dumb and I love it." Prompto looks as if he's just been told he won the lottery, and Ignis, bless his soul with his infinite patience, simply looks resigned to his fate.

"... Yeah, I'm starting to wonder how you guys managed to get this far without me too," Iris speaks up slowly, and Noct only howls with more laughter, and despite everything, he feels lighter than he has in a long time.

---

Fort Valluerey is quite similar to Aracheole Stronghold, although Noct isn't sure whether it's because of the dim light or they actually do have the same layout. Either way, infiltrating the fort is a familiar task.

They track Commander Caligo as he walks deeper and deeper into the base, and he seems to be complaining about someone— who, Noct's not sure. Either way, he quickly warp strikes to him and knocks him out. Ignis gives him a thumbs up (seriously, Ignis, why) and mouths, I'll take him to the Hunters, so Noct nods quickly and runs over to find Gladio and Prompto, who are currently acting as distractions.

When it's all over and done, the MTs taken out and the main generator shut down, Ignis returns, only he tells them that Caligo has escaped. It's not the best news, but at least they've secured the base. Or at least, Noct thinks so for a few moments, and then—

"Hey there, pretty boy," A voice calls out from above, and they all look up in surprise.

Noct's never met her, but he recognizes her appearance, with her infamous armored attire and silver hair. It's Imperial Commodore Aranea Highwind, and she's pointing her lance right at them.

She jumps down, and Noct tenses, preparing himself for a long and hard fight. Highwind can't be taken lightly, and they need to get out of here alive—

"Lady Lunafreya!" The maid calls, and Luna jerks around, surprised. "Please, Lady Lunafreya, your services are needed in the village."

"Oh, yes, of course," Luna responds, and she hurriedly runs out of the manor, letting her retainers guide the way through the night. The lead her to the physician's house, all the lights lit up and the door open.

When she enters, there's a man lying in the center of the room, the doctor hovering anxiously over him. Strange blotches cover his skin, and he looks as if he's in pain. Beads of sweat roll down his face. Luna kneels down next to him, takes a quick glance at his condition, but she only needs to look at the doctor once before he nods and tells her, "It's the same sickness, my Lady," and Luna knows what she needs to do.

"It will be alright," She tells the man quietly, and she's not even sure he can hear her through the pain, but it won't hurt to say it aloud. Leaning in closer, she brings her hands to his head. "Blessed stars of life and light, deliver us from darkness blight." She murmurs, and her hands glow golden. There are gasps behind her, and the man's face slowly returns to a normal hue.

Luna sighs and turns to the woman hovering anxiously next to her. "Are you his wife?" She asks. At her nod, Luna says to her, "He will be weak for a period of time, but I have done all I can. He will recover."

The woman bursts into tears and she sobs, "Thank you, Lady Lunafreya, thank you," And Luna gives her a warm hug and this, this is why she became Oracle.

When she tries to stand, however, her knees buckle in a sudden wave of weakness, and Luna knows she's reached her limit far too long ago, and that familiar burning pain starts up again. Her retainers scramble to support, and she lets them half-carry, half-drag her back to her room because she's exhausted and Noct still needs to get back to Old Lestallum alive.

Her thoughts flit back to the man with the strange, familiar illness. No one in Tenebrae knows how to cure it except to defer the Oracle, and she's asked Gentiana countless times what it is, to which she always responds, "It is the Scourge of our Star."

She tells Luna how to heal it, but she doesn't tell Luna what it is, or what it is caused by. When Luna sees those afflicted with the so-called starscourge, she can feel the darkness, and it's only now that it feels like something else, something like, she doesn't know. She can't put her finger on it.

But the word starscourge has implications in of itself, and Luna feels like it is more than just a mysterious illness. She's never seen anyone succumb to it before, and something tells her she doesn't want to.

"Lady Lunafreya, Lord Ravus has returned to Tenebrae," A servant informs her quietly, and Luna gives him a nod. "Tell my brother that I'd like to see him, if you could." There are so many things she needs to say him; I must go to Altissia, did you know of the raid on Lestallum, why do you have father's sword, why are you doing any of this I don't understand.

Her retainer nods and leaves, but when he returns he tells her that Lord Ravus isn't available at this current moment, and he's busy dealing with matters. She'll have to wait.

It takes Ravus a day for him to actually see her, and when he does, it's without warning. Luna's outside, standing atop a hill near the residence, and she watches as Ravus takes long, impatient strides past the sylleblossoms to where she is.

"I want to go to Altissia," Luna says, before Ravus has the chance to say anything. "I wish to awaken the Hydraean."

Ravus makes a sound, her father's sword swinging at his hip. "Absolutely not. Have you gone mad, Lunafreya? There is no reason for you to—"

"There is all the reason," Luna interrupts. "What would you have me do, simply wait here for the empire to succeed in their plans? You know I would never allow that."

"So you would follow through with the covenant?" Ravus demands angrily. "Throwing your own life away, all for some pitiful king who can't even stand by himself?" As Luna had suspected, Ravus knows that if she continues down this path, she will die before long. "I heard from our servants that you collapsed yesterday. You are reaching your limit, Lunafreya, and soon enough—"

He reaches out to her, and Luna brushes his hand aside. That momentary skin-to-skin contact makes her wince, and both she and Ravus quickly jerk their hands away.

Ravus— he feels like—

"What did you do?" Luna whispers, and then louder, more demanding, "Ravus, what have you done to yourself?" Because Ravus doesn't feel right anymore, he feels like, like,

Like that man yesterday, Luna realizes with horror, and she makes the last connection. He feels like Ardyn Izunia. He feels like the starscourge. But he has none of the symptoms of the illness, no blotches on his skin, no fever.

"Do not concern yourself with me," Ravus deflects tersely, and when Luna reaches out to heal him, this time he brushes her away, careful not to make direct contact. "But no, I will not allow you to—"

"You think I want it?" Luna snaps, her patience reaching an end. "Do you think I want to die, Ravus?" If he refuses to tell her what's happened to him, fine. She's been angry at him for long enough, too, and maybe this time she won't get interrupted.

"With you throwing your life away like this, yes! I think so," Ravus yells back at her, and Luna punches him in the shoulder, hard. It probably doesn't hurt, but Ravus looks surprised nonetheless.

"You're a fool," She spits out. "What right do you have to decide what I do? What right do you have to say that I can't do this? What right do you have to do anything at all?"

"I am your older brother," Ravus protests, rubbing his shoulder. "Of course I have the right—"

"You threw that right away the moment Tenebrae fell," Luna cries sharply. "Since that day, it's been nothing but revenge on your mind, for the destruction of Lucis. What do you care about me? What do you care about the continuance of Tenebrae? You most certainly don't, because all you have doing for the past 12 years is heed to the empire's bidding and become their lapdog.

"I was the one who fought for local autonomy. I was the one who tried to do my duty, I was the one who visited our people and healed the sick, I was the one who was trying," and Ravus looks oh so very lost, not understanding where all of this is coming from, because Luna has always tried to be silent and mild, and now her eyes sting angrily and her voice is cracking and she is furious. "You have no right to tell me what to do anymore. Never tell me I can't do this."

"Lunafreya…" And now Ravus is beginning to lose his composure as well, his cool facade cracking at the edges. "I never—"

"Yes, you never," Luna agrees bitterly. "You never, Ravus. You've never done anything. Do you think I want to die, Ravus? You think I never want to see Tenebrae again? You don't think, perhaps, that there's people I want to meet? But I'm doing my duty, like I always have, like you have never done, because if I don't Eos will perish. Why can't you understand this?

"You've changed, Ravus, from when we were children. You were never this bitter, this angry. What happened to the brother I knew, who was good and kind and cared? I—" But then Luna is cut off, and Ravus' incredulous laughter is loud and piercing.

"I've changed?" He demands, his face an ugly sneer. "Lunafreya, you are a hypocrite."

"What?!"

"You think I have not noticed?" Ravus stalks up to her. "You are always so wrapped up as Oracle. You wear your role like a mask, and you cover yourself in that distant smile and meaningless pleasantries and elegance. You talk about justice and light and peace, as if there's nothing else that matters. I have not seen a hair or hide of my sister since she turned sixteen."

His words pierce Luna's guard, because she wasn't expecting his words to be so true, and she takes a step away from him. The pleasant evening breeze tickles at their cheeks, the orange sky calm and the field of sylleblossoms sway.

"You say you don't want to die?" Ravus snorts. "Then don't die, Lunafreya. Isn't this what I've been trying to say? There is no need for you to do your duty. Be selfish, sister. Even with your help, that pathetic excuse for a king will not succeed."

Not for the first time, Luna looks up into her brother's eyes and she doesn't know who she's speaking to anymore. He's not making any sense. "Since when have you even cared?" She asks, the hard edge in her tone still there.

"I have always cared," Ravus says back to her, leaving Luna even more confused than before. This is not the same man who has spit curses at Lucis and her father for twelve years, the arrogant one that had the nerve to put on the Ring of Lucii. "But you— you care too much for meaningless trivialities. Why do you side with that boy?"

"It's my choice," Luna snaps. "You have no right to make that decision for me, brother. I will go to Altissia, whether you approve or not."

Ravus makes an angry noise of frustration, and he paces and forth. "I can see that look of disgust you direct at me, Lunafreya, but you shall not set foot outside Tenebrae. I shall make it so." And Luna knows that threat is not empty, either— he's done so before, hasn't he?

So Luna pushes her anger aside as best she can, just for moment so she can think, and takes a step back and considers the facts. What does she know, and what can she do now?

She needs to get to Altissia. She has to. What is she willing to give in order to get there?

Luna could put on the ring (the ring that Ravus still hasn't taken from her, hasn't taken to the empire), like she's been preparing to for ages. Maybe she could knock Ravus out, then make a run for the rails. Once she got to Altissia, she could request for refuge with the Accordan government. The key word is maybe, and maybe is not very reassuring.

Or…

It's a terrible risk. It's probably not worth it. But I've always cared, Ravus has said. Luna doesn't trust him. She can't trust him. She needs only look at his arm, at his sword, and know that he could very well be enemy. But this man standing in front of her, even with all the incrimination written upon him, he is… something. He's family, and that means something. At the very least, it should mean something.

I don't want you to waste your life by doing this, Ravus has said. All for one pathetic prince. And Luna takes a deep breath, and she says to him, "You will let me leave. You will allow me to call the Hydraean."

"Give me a reason why I should," Ravus demands, and Luna gives him a bitter smile, all teeth and and as much malice she can muster. Altering her speech patterns, slouching forward, she says dryly, "Because I've received the Storm's blessing, but I know nothing of the consequences."

Ravus' brow furrows, not understanding, but he will. Oh, he will.

"Because who are you to say that? You don't even get the consequences of your own actions, you dog of the empire. They killed your parents, and here you are, the High Commander of their army. You're at the emperor's beck and call, aren't you? Aren't you?" And Noct inches closer and closer to him, as Ravus turns ashen.

"That—"

"You fucking tried to kill my dad. You tried to take the ring. You took his sword. You helped steal my kingdom's Crystal. You tried to kill me," Noct's inches away from Ravus' face, and he grabs him by the collar. "You insult me to my face, and you don't give a shit whether I live or die, you bastard, do you?

Ravus wrenches himself away, breathing hard, and to Noct's vindictive satisfaction he almost looks scared. "But, but that is—" He stammers out.

"Fuck you, Ravus," Noct says plainly. "You won't listen to your own sister? Fine, listen to me, asshole. If you let Luna go, yeah sure, I'll die. But if you don't let Luna go, I'll die. As a matter a fact, we'll all probably fucking die. Do you really think the empire will let the Oracle live?"

"I— I—"

"Not only are you a shitty person, you're a shitty brother," Noct says. "I'll admit it first, maybe I wasn't the best sibling either. But I tried, didn't I? I tried so fucking hard to reach out to you. I'd say things like, Ravus, I want to help you. And all you did was push away. I hate Lucis, you'd tell me. I won't rest until they fall— you pothead, you absolute pisspot!"

"So make it up to me," Noct snaps, staring hard at Ravus. "I dare you to make it up to me. Let me go."

"You're Noctis," Ravus breathes, looking down in confusion. "You're— you're the prince. How is this possible?"

"Who the fuck cares right now?" Noct cries. The breeze starts to pick up, and his dress flaps in the wind. He awkwardly brushes it down.

"I— I attempted to kill your father," Ravus whispers, and then in an even smaller voice, "I attempted to take your life back then, at that base, did I not?"

Noct looks at him coldly. "That's a stupid question and you know it."

Ravus is silent for a long time, but when he does speak, he speaks weakly, "I am sorry."

"What are you, five years old?" Noct looks up at the sky, darkness spreading and the bright colors of the sunset dimming. "If you really mean it, let me do what I want."

"I am sorry," Ravus repeats, and he wraps his arms around Noct.

Noct squirms. Ravus feels wrong; like there's darkness leaking out of his pores. But he doesn't let go, and somehow he feels strong, unnaturally strong. Noct kicks him a few times, and he doesn't even flinch.

"I do not want you to die," Ravus says in his ear. "Because our mother— she fell the same way, did she not? Performing her duty as Oracle, assisting the king of Lucis, assisting the Chosen.

"I do not want you to die," Ravus continues. "Because that means I will be all alone."

Noct doesn't know whether to laugh or cry, and Ravus only holds him closer. He just doesn't understand. He just doesn't understand, and Ravus is practically crying, and everything still feels wrong, and so she opens her mouth to tell him what she thinks.

"Our mother was an exemplary human being," Luna starts. "I would have been honored to pass on the way she had. That is why I must go, Ravus. I must go to Altissia… but first, indulge me for a few moments. Ravus, I ask of you— did you order the raid on Lestallum?"

"Yes," Ravus whispers.

"Why?"

"Orders. I do not know."

"Why have you not taken the ring from me?"

"I do not know anymore."

"Why did you even try it on to begin with?"

"I do not know anymore."

"Why did you take his sword?"

"I do not know anymore," Ravus answers helplessly, and Luna belatedly realizes that perhaps, Ravus does not know what he's doing either.

"Noctis— Lunafreya, please. I no longer know what to ask of you, but please. Please." Ravus is begging, and he doesn't know what he's saying any more than Luna. "I love you."

"I love you as well, Ravus," Luna answers tiredly, the fire drained out of her. Perhaps not so surprisingly, she finds that the words she speaks are the truth. "I will go, because there is still much I want to do before my time runs out." There is so much, and she still has time. She will meet with Noct in Altissia, and they will finally journey together in search for the remaining Astrals.

The weakness hits her again, both mentally and physically, and Luna finally lets herself lean into Ravus' embrace despite how wrong it feels, and her tears well up and she murmurs shakily, "I just… I just want to see them. I want to see him. I want to laugh as freely with them as they do with Noct. I want to see him before it is all over."

"I want to see him," Luna sniffles, and Ravus can say nothing in response. "I want to see Prompto, and Ignis, and I want to see him. Why can't I see them?"

Why can't I see him?

And it's just the two of them, standing in a field of flowers as the sun slips beneath the horizon, sobbing their eyes out over the unfairness, over the spiteful world.

---

In a few hours, Noct cries too.

The sound of the ocean waves crashing against the cliffs, and they're so close to Caem— he can just see the tip of the lighthouse over the horizon— and Ignis puts his hand on his shoulder, Prompto on the other.

The faded scar on his back throbs. Noct hasn't really thought about it in years, but now it's all he can feel, pulsing in time with his thudding heart. He's standing over the corpse of a marilith— the marilith, the one from all those years ago, the one with a scar from the time his dad had marked it with the Armiger.

Only this time, it's Noct that slices its head clean through his body, and there's no one to save him but himself. There's no one to save him, guide him, help him, anymore. His dad's dead, isn't he? He's dead, and he's not coming back. He's as lifeless as the daemon laying before him, and he's never, ever coming back.

And his mother— the one who healed him, the one who taught him how to walk again and the one who taught Luna everything she knows, she's been long gone, gone for years, but the same grief hits Noct again.

What had Ravus said? I don't want you to die like our mother; our mother, who had given her life for what was right and his father, who had given his life not for what was right, but for his son and a woman he had hardly known.

"It's not fair," Noct whispers fiercely, and angrily wipes tears away. "It's not fair."

"Yeah," Gladio, whose father is also dead and his mother also long gone, agrees quietly. "It's not fair."

Iris, whose father is also dead and her mother also long gone, silently offers her arm.

Sylva, Regis, Clarus— their names blur together, and their personas clash and mix in equal measure, until all Noct can think is, they all died for me. Because they believed in me.

That boy will never succeed, Ravus echoes in his mind.

But at this point, it's no longer a matter of succeeding or failing. Noct must. He simply must, and that is the only way left for him to take. It's not a matter of faith in the gods or in his own ability to do so, but for all those who have died for him and Luna, Noct can't die.

Because not only have they sacrificed themselves for him, he's going to give up Luna as well. That scares him beyond belief, because Noct and Luna may be one and the same, but he was Luna first, wasn't he? How can he be Noct without Luna? Luna has always been, while Noct has only become after years of childhood, a slow development of forming an identity of his own.

"I…" Noct takes a deep breath. "After Leviathan, let's go destroy the empire. Reclaim the Crystal. For our home."

For hearth, and home, Nyx's words remind him. (And he died for Noct too, didn't he? He sacrificed his own life— he didn't have to, he was a fool— and his hometown for it all.)

Because he won't let any of this hold him down any longer— not Ravus, not his father or his mother, not Nyx, not his own securities, not Luna. He's going to do this, and he will fulfill his duty, restore light to this world, reclaim his throne.

"Let's go to Caem," Noct says, and he blinks away his tears, gives the others a determined look. "And we'll take Insomnia back."

He'll take back the Crown City. He will fulfill his calling. And then he will finally be able to live his life, with all his friends at his side and his kingdom at peace. That's all Noct has ever wanted. (That's all Luna has ever wanted, too, but she's already acknowledged that she won't get that.)

"Yes," Ignis agrees. "We will take it all back, Noct."

"For everyone," Iris adds, her voice taking on a strange quality.

"Because it's our home." Prompto says, oddly distant and sad. He fiddles with his wristbands.

They chorus in their agreement, and only Gladio stays silent.

He stays silent too, long after they clamber back into the Regalia in a resolved silence, and Noct glances at him discreetly over Iris' head and—

Oh.

Gladio's hair is whipping back in the wind, his arm resting casually on the side of the door, and Noct can almost pretend nothing's wrong with what he's seeing.

But he can't challenge this, because Noct only needs to glance at his face, at the tight crease in his brow, looks down at his clenched fists, and then back up at his eyes— a raging hazel that practically lights up, and Gladio looks like he could rip the world to shreds if he wanted to right now— and he knows that Gladio is not alright, and he hasn't been alright.

He looks angry, murderous, and Noct's reminded of the times Gladio has come to him, this close to a breaking point, only to smile as warmly as he can; hide the aggression and the wrath boiled up in him so he doesn't have to show it to Noct.

Noct's known he hasn't been quite the same since the attack, but it's been weeks since then, and he curses himself for not having noticed sooner. Gladio's been grieving too, isn't he? Just not in the quiet, silent way Noct thinks he has. He's a maelstrom of fury, livid over everything and everyone probably, because that's just how Gladio is. He's either all or none, and he's pushing all of it back for the sake of the group. He's probably thinking, I can't afford to be distracted by this, I have a job to do.

Caem is a only a short drive away by then, and after Cindy informs them of the status of the ship, Gladio turns to Noct and he says, "I got something to ask."

He takes a deep breath. "This thing with the mythril— you're going to have to do it without me. I have some things I need to take care of."

Gladio looks Noct right in the eye when he says this, his stance easy and relaxed, but somehow he just seems incredibly nervous, and Noct can practically feel the manic energy running off him in waves. He looks uncomfortable standing there.

"Wait, what?" Prompto yelps. "How are we supposed to do this without you?" Gladio is their heaviest hitter and most trained in combat. The Vesperpool is bound to be filled with daemons and other tough monsters, and it'll be a struggle to obtain the mythril they're after if Gladio isn't with them.

"Gladio," Ignis starts in a warning tone, and he opens his mouth in reprimand, because Ignis knows full well the consequences of Gladio's actions. "You can't possibly—"

"It's fine," Noct interrupts, and Ignis quiets. "It's fine, Gladio. You can go. We'll take care of ourselves for a bit."

He won't ask where Gladio's going. He won't ask what he's doing. He won't ask why (he already knows). Gladio needs this. He hasn't told Noct a thing about anything, deliberately hasn't said a word, and if he doesn't want to say, Noct won't pry. He won't.

"Just… don't become what you're trying to get run away from," Noct says finally, hating how he can't hide the worry in his voice. "And don't forget that you can always ask for help."

Don't die, he wants to say, but he doesn't and Gladio knows anyway. His expression softens just a bit.

"I won't," He tells Noct

"I won't," He tells Noct, and to the others he asks, "Can you give us a moment?"

Ignis and Prompto follow Iris into the cottage near the lighthouse, and Gladio grins. It's not a happy smile, and it's not grim either. If it were anyone else, Noct would call it melancholic.

"Sometimes I forget how perceptive you are," He says. "Thanks, Noct. For letting me do this."

Noct gives him a wan smile, and he leans in to kiss Gladio on the lips. "You, Ignis, and Prompto have been here for me all these weeks. If you need this, you need this. I can't take that away from you. I'm just sorry I hadn't noticed sooner."

Don't ever let anyone tell you how to grieve, Iris says to him again, and Noct's starting to figure out that it might've been the best piece of advice he's ever been given.

Gladio's angry, yes, but more than anything else he needs time to himself, deal with the fact that his father is gone, and one day it will be ok.

Be safe, Gladio.

---

When Luna arrives in Altissia, she is taken away by the grandeur and splendor of the city. The Walls of Water is an apt name for Accordo's capital. As she takes a gondola to the First Secretary's office with Gentiana, she absorbs all the sights around her in awe, wishing she had a camera like Prompto. She doesn't have time to go sightseeing, but maybe Noct can do it for her when he arrives.

Secretary Claustra is clearly not expecting guests, and the guards almost turn her away before they realize that she's the supposedly deceased Oracle. Once Luna's quickly ushered inside, she is granted an audience with the head of the Accordan government. She greets Luna without warmth, although there is no particular ice in her voice either.

Camelia Claustra is woman of law and order— and everyone respects her for it, even the Empire. Despite being a politician, she's rather outright with her policies, and she has only one interest: Accordo. Claustra couldn't care for other kingdoms and provinces unless they affected hers in one way or another, and it shows in her political decisions.

So when Luna tells her, as diplomatically as she possibly can, that she wishes to awaken Leviathan, who is currently slumbering below the waters of Altissia, she can tell that Secretary Claustra's first instinct is to say no.

She purses her lips, frowns at Luna disapprovingly. "You do realize the sheer amount of damage the Hydraean will cause when she rages, yes? The structural damage to Altissia will be monumental, not to mention the death count. Give me one good reason why I should agree to this."

"If the civilians are evacuated beforehand, the Accordan government can work to reduce the amount of destruction," Luna counters. "I admit that calling the Hydraean will damage Altissia, and nothing can stop all of it. But if I do not do this, everything will be destroyed by the empire. The King of Lucis must form a pact with Leviathan. It is necessary to overthrowing Niflheim."

"The Accordan government has an established truce with the empire. We remain officially under their control, while maintaining local autonomy. Quite like your Tenebrae," Claustra says. "Why should we help you at the risk of angering them?"

"Because the empire is not on your side," Luna states frankly. "You may think your interests are mutual, and perhaps they are at the moment, but Niflheim is quick to turn against their allies if they desire something. They are not above trickery. Secretary Claustra, I beg of you, allow me to call the Hydraean."

And she pauses, and for a long second Luna is afraid that she will refuse, but Secretary Claustra finally dips her head and in a calm, measured voice she says, "Then we will offer you sanctuary from the empire until the King of Lucis arrives and the ceremony commences."

(Camelia Claustra is a woman of law and order, but she has a good heart as well.)

Luna is offered a private room in a segment of the building, and she is told that she is, under no circumstances, to venture outside into the city. "The only way to make this work is to go public," Secretary Claustra informs her. "If the people know of the ceremony beforehand, then Niflheim will have to allow the ceremony to at least begin, unless they wish to face the wrath of Altissians over their beloved Oracle. However, what happens at the altar will be up to you and the King."

Ravus is here as well, and Luna knows this when he walks into her room one day, when she's more exhausted than usual. She can barely move, and he bends down next to her chair, clasps her hands.

Weakly, Luna looks up at him. "Why are you here?" Not why are you here in Altissia; Luna knows that he has been charged with handling the Hydraean. The empire most likely aims to kill Leviathan before the covenant can be forged, like they had attempted with Titan. But why are you here in this room, because somehow Luna can't imagine the secretary ever allowing the high commander of the imperial forces in to see the Oracle.

"You cannot stand, can you," Ravus asks, only it's not a question.

"No." Luna freely admits, and she closes her eyes. "No, I cannot."

A heavy silence falls upon both of them, two siblings who haven't quite reached an understanding, but nonetheless, are siblings. Ravus, a poor fool who has tried, but has lost track of what he's trying for. Luna, who will die if she goes through with the this, and will die if she doesn't.

"Give the sword to Noct," Luna says finally. "When you meet him again. He will need it."

"I shall." Ravus vows, but it is not said with resolution. He is not happy with this. He does not want any of this to happen. And that is all they have to say to each other, this brother and sister held together by both the thinnest of strings and the strongest of ropes.

That is all.

---

When Gladio comes back, they're in Lestallum again and the EXINERIS plant is probably about to blow.

"Oi!" Noct shouts at the fully suited hunter next to him, who just so happens to be Gladio. "Get your ass over here and help me kill these daemons off, and then maybe I'll forgive you for thinking I wouldn't recognize you in that!"

"What, can't handle them yourself, princess?" Gladio returns easily, and in a powerful arc of his broadsword, the last of the Garchimaceras are taken care of. "Hadn't realized you became so weak when I left."

"I did not," Noct retorts back reflexively, belatedly realizes that it's possibly the lamest response he could have possibly said, and he blushes fiercely underneath his suit. "Ah, whatever. Let's just get out of here before we get blown to smithereens."

When they return outside, Holly thanks them for their work and promises that she'll have the mythril refined in no time at all.

"Boy, am I glad you're back," Prompto says in relief when he catches sight of the unmasked Gladio. "Noct was going crazy without you."

"What? I was not." Noct's actually kind of offended. "The hell are you on about, Prompto?"

Gladio grins smugly, the most carefree Noct's seen him in a long time. "What can I say? No one can live without me."

"Noct, you tried to kill me like, seven times." Prompto says to him flatly. "And I think you actually managed to stab Ignis at some point while we were in that hellhole of a dungeon."

"It was less of a stab and more of an attempted skewering," Ignis corrects helpfully. "Noctis was in a rather murderous mood while you were gone, Gladio."

"Will you stop making fun of me?" Noct rolls his eyes and tries to play it off as best he can, but he's not sure how well he manages to pretend it doesn't bother him. He keeps blanking out; then his friends try to grab his attention and he thinks they're the daemons they're trying to fight off.

It's a matter of concentration, yes, and Prompto and Ignis think it's because of Gladio. He's going to fine, they try to assure him, and one time he almost attacks Aranea. Didn't mean to do that, is what he stutters out at the time, and the woman raises an eyebrow, distinctly unimpressed.

Whoever you're hung up about, they're not worth the danger you're putting yourself in, is what she says to him. Get your princely ass into gear, pretty boy.

Only it's not Gladio. Gladio will be fine. He has to be fine, otherwise Noct won't know what to do (and he was, wasn't he? He's standing here in front of them now, just as alive as he was before). But Luna— Luna is weak, she is so tired, how will she even be able to go on, and Noct's usually tired with all the multitasking he has to do anyway. The sheer pain and exhaustion emanating from Luna is incredible, and sometimes Noct can't do anything as well. Her pain, although purely physical in origin, translates to mental fatigue and Noct sometimes struggles to move his body. It takes him a while to realize that the pain isn't actually coming from him, his arms and legs and stomach don't ache, but they feel like they do.

But it's only a little longer, Noct tells himself. Only a little longer before he won't have to worry about this anymore, only a little longer until—

(She dies?)

Brushing himself out his thoughts, Noct informs Gladio of everything that's happened while he was gone. "... Oh, and the chancellor found us again."

"So it wasn't the coin?" Gladio asks.

"We're not sure," Ignis says. "It may very well been, and in this case he simply knew that we would need mythril to travel to the other continent. Either way, he was not particularly informative."

He really hadn't said anything provoking like he had before, simply led them to Aranea in a very forthcoming manner, rambling about nothing in particular. It's as if he had already said everything he wanted to Noct.

Noct genuinely doesn't know what Ardyn Izunia is planning. That he represents a threat is obvious, but Noct doesn't know what he's supposed to be guarding himself against.

On another note, Gladio has new scars. One lines his forehead, and the other a huge gash across his chest. He honestly doesn't seem bothered by them, even a little proud maybe. "You should see the other guy," He laughs to them, and Noct really isn't all that mad or concerned about it. If Gladio says the wounds don't bother him, that they aren't a blow to his mental psyche or his physical ability, then he doesn't care.

"I give my Royal Mark of Approval," Noct says, after examining them for a moment. "I can't say they're really all that hot, but they're not bad, as far as fashion choices go. Also, Ignis, Prompto— if Gladio can look proud of the fact that he almost got himself sliced into two, you all can stop complaining about how I keep accidentally attacking you."

(Later, when they're alone, Noct asks Gladio if he found what he was looking for. Noct's not quite sure what Gladio did, but it sure as heck seemed violent.

Gladio looks thoughtful for a moment. "I think I did."

"And what was it?" Noct presses. "That you found, I mean."

"... I want to say peace," Gladio admits. "To move on. Life happens, and sometimes you just need to suck it up and keep going. You know me, I just tried to get the anger out of my system by beating monsters up. But it wasn't like that.

"I didn't find peace," He repeats. "But I found something else."

"You're not going to tell me what it was, are you?"

Gladio ruffles his hair affectionately. "Nope.")

He also seems to gone on a Cup Noodle craze while he was by himself, and Gladio actually drags them on a very wild adventure to kill a behemoth while they're waiting for the ore to be refined. They take its flesh and put it into one of those godforsaken instant ramen cups.

"If you like it so much, why don't you marry it?" Noct asks grumpily that night, while Prompto tries his best to slurp the noodles as loudly and obnoxiously as he can. Honestly, Gladio has the strangest tastes.

"Well, I might like you just a bit more than Cup Noodle," Gladio responds easily, the fondness clear in his gaze. In the red glow of campfire, he looks resplendently glorious and kind and free and everything and anything Noct's ever wanted out of anyone, and he realizes, yet again, that he really had missed Gladio while he was gone.

"Love you too."

---

When they return to Cape Caem, Cor is waiting for them. He's seated himself on a couch, Cid standing beside him. They both look up when Noct and the others clamber down, his father's boat bobbing up and down gently at the harbor beside them.

"Your Highness," Cor greets, the ever present incriminating sword-that-shouldn't-be-there at his side. Cid snorts and grumbles a little, brushing some of the dust of his pants.

"Altissia," Cid grumbles. "Only been there once, with Reggie and the lot. Stayed a good time, though."

"'The lot?'" Prompto questions.

Cid is quiet for a moment, and Noct looks to him in renewed interest. He'd known that his dad had once visited Altissia when he was young, but there's something else tickling at him, what was it…

Cid glances at him, catches his troubles expression. "I know what yer thinking," He growls at Noct. "Wonderin' if we ever got to meet the other Reggie, eh?"

Noct really shouldn't be surprised. After all, Cid is a lot smarter than his prickly exterior implies. Of course he knew about it. And if he's saying this now, then the marshal knows as well.

"I met 'im," Cid says, and everyone practically leans forward to listen. "He was a tipster at a popular bar. Looking back, Reggie seemed awfully excited to visit. No one questioned it though, 'cause it was the first time we went out of Lucis. Yer father, the other him, he greeted us when we came in, and he seemed near tears. We all thought, 'Well, must be cause Reggie's royalty.' Never expected otherwise.

"We didn't find out though," Cid continues darkly. "Not until he died, that is."

Ignis takes a sharp breath. "What happened?"

"It was an accident. No one's fault. Reggie was off at the first secretary's office, and we were hangin' around the bar, waiting for him to be done. One of our guys, Weskham— that's the one y'all are gonna see in Altissia now, by the way— he stumbled just a little, just enough teh fall into harm's way. Yer dad, the bartender, he pushed Weskham out of the way, and ended up dying fer it."

Cid's words are purposefully vague, as if he doesn't wish to think of the details. Noct can't blame him.

"Yer old man didn't regret it, though. Sure, he cried like a baby and it was terrible, but not once did he regret it. Saving Weskham, he always said, was more than enough." Cid's voice becomes softer, a tinge of misery comes through. "I never did forgive Reggie though, for not telling us who he was until after he was long gone and dead. After we split ways, I didn't see him once. Shoulda just let it go when I had the chance."

"You didn't know," Noct says just as quietly. "You couldn't have known."

"That's right," And Cid jerks his thumb over at Cor. "Tell it to him. Can't seem to let his guilt go, this idiot."

"Cid, it's very much more complicated than you think it is," Cor starts, and Cid holds up his hand for him to stop, his voice harsh.

"It darn isn't!" He says. "Quit blamin' yerself. You did all you could. It was the empire's fault, and let's leave it at that."

"The empire's fault," Cor repeats dully, and he doesn't sound convinced, then turns his eyes to Noct. "Bear me no mind. Safe travels, and may you succeed in reclaiming your throne. If there's any way I can help, just ask."

Cor looks tired, like he always does. There's guilt hanging on him, more so than when Noct last saw him— or maybe the marshal had just hid it better. It just lingers in the air, and Noct thinks, he can't be a traitor. Not when he looks like this.

"As you continue your journey, things will become clear in time," Cor tells them. "It's probably a jumble of facts and hints at this point, but know that everything will make sense eventually."

He bids them farewell, and as him, Iris, and Talcott wave to them goodbye as the group finally sets off to Altissia, Noct can't help but think that Cor may not be a turncoat, but not all is as it seems.

Well, the marshal couldn't have said it better. Maybe it really will come clear in time.

---

They have a week before the ceremony.

Here's how Noct figures it: Luna is going to die. He can't stop that, and she can't either. But if it must happen, then she might as well leave the way she wants to.

After the Hydraean, they will be traveling together. By that point, there is quite literally no point in maintaining all the secrecy and mystery any longer. The entire objective of having two identities was to guarantee the safety of at least one, and seeing as Noct and Luna are going to be in the same place at the same time (not to mention that the chancellor already knows of their situation), it's not going to matter now if the others know.

More importantly, this is Luna's last chance. It really won't matter if she's already dead, after all.

Secretary Claustra shakes her head, a firm no when Noct asks to see Luna. The Oracle will not be accepting any visitors until the day of the ceremony, she informs them, and Noct wonders just what Ravus had said to the secretary to convince her to let him through.

But here's also how Noct figures it: if he's going to tell the others, he might as well do it dramatically. With Luna present and there, for the first time ever.

And really, it shouldn't matter, because Luna is Noct and she sees whatever he sees and she does what he does. He can just say, So I'm actually the Oracle, and technically, she will have said it too. But if it was all about technicalities, it wouldn't matter what would happen to Luna. Because she'd still be alive, wouldn't she be, if Noct is still alive?

(It doesn't work like that.)

So he'll wait. Bide his time until after the ceremony.

He has a week until then.

Noct takes Gladio to see Luna's wedding dress, which is currently on display as a celebration of the Oracle's safe arrival to Altissia. It's just as pretty as it was before, and Noct looks at it with such wide eyes Gladio starts laughing.

"Starting to regret that your wedding was cancelled?" He asks teasingly, and Noct rolls his eyes.

"It's not that," He says back. "Just… look at it. It's so nice. Did you know it was designed by the Vivienne Westwood? She's fantastic. Her clothing lines are just absolutely amazing, and— and— I don't know. I just really, really like it."

Even more than its actual design, how can he explain its symbolic significance, how closely it represents hope? It's a dress made for celebration, for peace. It was a chance for Luna to meet Ignis, Prompto, Gladio. The marriage had never gone through, but still, that chance is upon them once again, just as the dress makes its reappearance.

"It's getting dark," Gladio notes, and he smiles conspiratorially at Noct. "Wanna take a quick stop at the Arena before dinner?"

Noct grins wildly and strikes a pose. "Sharp erryday, am I right? We'll go back to the Maagho to eat after a few rounds."

Totomostro is one of the best parts of Altissia, in his opinion. Noct hadn't realized he was such a big gambler, but he finds himself coming back to the Arena over and over again to place more bets. He likes to think he's pretty good with using the horns as well, and he usually wins more than he loses. So they spend maybe an hour or so there, and then take the gondola back to the bar, where Weskham and the others are waiting for them.

(Here's the tale of Weskham— When Noct first enters the Maagho, he bows low and deep, his deep voice rumbling, "Prince Noctis. It is good to see you after all these years. Last I knew, you were just a babe."

He lets them take a look around the bar, quietly informing that it was this bar that Noct's father owned.

"He had no living relatives," Weskham tells him. "So once we all parted ways, I took to bartending. It was the least I could do, keep the Maagho thriving, after all your father had done for me. The bar hasn't changed much in the past few decades, so much of it is as he left it."

Nothing at the Maagho particularly strikes out at him, but there's little things, a particular detail in the lighting or decoration that just makes him think of his father's room back in Insomnia, how he had arranged his bookshelves and the flora decorating the walls. Noct wonders what his father would have been like, merely a tipster with a simpler life, with no politics and no need to fight. He hopes he was happy.

"Thank you for doing this," He tells Weskham. "For keeping this alive."

"Of course." And he bows once again. "I would have done anything for him.")

The eat the very, very expensive Maagho Lasagna for dinner, and Noct's never been more grateful to hear Ignis' snap of fingers and his triumphant cry of, "That's it!" Because really, it was fantastic, but he's really not sure how much more gil they can afford to spend on gourmet food of all things.

He spends some time fishing. He gambles some more. Gladio takes him to see the local theater, and they maybe have a romantic day out going to all the popular attractions for couples. Ignis successfully recreates the lasagna, and even manages to secure the royal suite of the Leville. Prompto shows him the most breathtaking shots of the city and orders a fifteen scoop gelato.

The days slip by like quicksand, and before Noct knows it, it's time.

---

Breathe, Luna reminds herself. You have to look like everything is fine. The public does not need to know her current state of health. They have to support this wholeheartedly, and Luna needs to look perfectly well.

"Your trident will await you at the altar," Secretary Claustra says, and she takes her leave. The imperial guards point their guns at her, and next to her Gentiana is silent, Pryna circling around her. The hour has come.

Luna walks out of the building for the first time in weeks, to the large crowd that's gathered to hear her speak.

Near the back, Noct cranes his neck in vain, trying to catch a glimpse Luna. He ends up forcefully pushing past disgruntled Altissians, until he's made his way closer to the podium.

Luna catches Noct's eye.

Oh.

They're so close, Luna thinks, and she almost feels like crying. She's so close to what she wants. Just a little more. Just a little more.

She recites her speech, the words flowery and grand, but still from the heart. She means every word she says, and she knows that sentiment has been passed on when the crowd cheers for her, and Luna puts on a brave face and smiles back.

She steps down from the stage, and guards escort her to the edge of the city, where the altar has been set. Noct takes the long way around, following the airships that have started to load into the city.

Gentiana will not go up with her. Neither will Pryna. She looks at them questioningly, and Gentiana simply shakes her head. "It is not my right to interfere," She says, her light accent slightly more pronounced than usual. "The Hydraean will not welcome the awakening, Oracle. Tread lightly."

Luna gives a small nod.

And oh, Leviathan is so, so angry. She screams and quakes at Luna, because she, a mere mortal, dare call upon the goddess of the sea?

"The gods exist because we exist," Luna cries back. "You are our faith, and we are your power. Nothing can exist without the other."

The Hydraean hisses. Silence!

"I will not be silenced!" Luna roars back. The Archaean had awed her, the Fulgarian had earned her respect with his wisdom. The Hydraean will be no different, is no different, but she will not be silenced by anyone. "Form a pact with the King of Kings, so he may do your bidding and destroy the darkness!"

The King of Kings? Leviathan thrashes slightly. He shall be tested. If he is worthy, I will submit. If not, this city shall know my wrath.

"Then it shall be done," Luna says, just as the hum of imperial dreadnoughts approach them. Noct glances up at the sky, and he curses. He's not sure if he can beat them to the altar.

"Hey, Noct! I can get you closer!" Prompto shouts on the phone. "Just jump!"

As Prompto and Noct steer the hijacked imperial speargun closer, it's clear that Leviathan won't go down without a fight. He can't really do much about the imperial reinforcements since he's trying not to get killed, so he hopes they won't bother the goddess too much.

His heart is beating wildly out of his chest, his clothing soaked and crouching on uneven ground. Noct gives a brief glance to the ground to reorient himself, the typhoon of a whirlpool still swirling around them, his grip slipping, and Luna sees it first, before he does— the Hydraean's tail flipping to the side, and Noct can't react in time. He's thrown fifty feet back, hitting the cold pavement, hard.

Luna's breath catches, and she realizes that there's no way he can beat Leviathan like this. With Titan, Ignis and Prompto's ingenuity with Blizzara magic had allowed him to pull through, and Ramuh's trial had been a test of perseverance more than anything else.

She knows what she can do— there are ancient magics she can use to temporarily call upon the glaives of kings past, and she has the ring. Noct needs these, and she's the one that has them. Luna's ready to run to Noct, who's within eye's view, less than a minute's run away, but the sound of footsteps behind her force her to stop in her tracks.

She feels like her body is about to explode, and everything is going haywire in panic. "You will not stop me," Luna croaks out, not even bothering to turn around. She sounds more confident than she actually is.

The familiar oily laugh of Ardyn Izunia rings out, and steps in front of her. "I won't?" He asks coyly, and his eyes slide down to the object in her right hand. "You hold the Ring of Lucii, my dear. What stops me from taking it?"

Ardyn will not stop her, because he wants this to happen. He wants Noct to defeat Leviathan, to forge the covenant. That was why he had let her meet with the Archaean without interference. And that is why he will let her do this.

Luna says so aloud, and Ardyn eyes her shrewdly, the smile on his face still in place. He considers her words.

"You know, you're quite right," The chancellor muses thoughtfully, and Luna shifts impatiently with the Hydraean's roars behind her. "On second thought, why don't you give it to him?"

He pulls out a knife and plunges it into her abdomen.

Luna screams, gasps, wheezes, and when he pulls it out of her she collapses, dropping her trident.

Ardyn crouches down to her level, his voice light and teasing. "Oh, my dear," He laughs. "You are in quite a pickle, aren't you?"

Luna can't concentrate, she can barely breathe over the pain, and her dress grows sticky with blood under her fingers. "... Why?" She manages to get out, and her voice is hoarse and strained. She doesn't understand. She had thought— she had thought he—

He laughs, and ever so tenderly cups her face. Then his expression darkens, and he bites out, "So I can rest."

And she doesn't understand what that means, won't understand until weeks later, trapped once again in a nebula of the dreamscape, but at the very least, Luna looks at Ardyn and she sees what she's always seen: darkness.

(Then again, she's always known. He's always been that way, shrouded with something malevolent that makes her look away. He's not human. He can't be human.)

None of this makes sense, and the bitter unfairness of it all leaves her dazed.

So even though she knows it's futile, for Ardyn is something she will never be able to heal in the short time she has left, she gently grabs his arm and a familiar golden glow flickers though. Mimicking his persona, she smiles her kindest, warmest smile and tells him with as much sweet falseness as she can muster, "Then rest, Ardyn Izunia. Know peace."

He backhands her.

Luna lies on the ground and she hears him say liltingly, "The gods really did tell you nothing at all, Lady Lunafreya."

No, they didn't, she silently agrees, and her vision is tilted, the world blurring ever so slightly, and by now the pain is almost numbing— she doesn't have to think over it.

She faintly hears the whirring of a Niflheim airship, and with what strength she has left, she lifts her head off the ground to see Ardyn, shaking out the arm Luna attempted to heal (she hopes it burns), boarding the craft.

"I shall await you at Gralea, my dear," Ardyn's smooth voice carries over Leviathan's roars. "Do try to be quick about it." And then he is gone, leaving her slowly bleeding to death on the altar. He doesn't even take the ring.

How fitting, Luna thinks blankly. That I'm going to die here; a sacrifice to the gods. In a daze, she carefully reaches for her trident and forces herself into an upright position. Her stomach stings.

Noct is still lying there, unable to move, so she does what she must. He rises with the help of her power, fights the Leviathan with a phantom ache in his abdomen, the Armiger swirling around him, and Luna slowly dying below. His mind is blank, his motions automatic. He can't fight well, even with what Luna's granted him.

And then when Noct falls, Luna is there to catch him. His body is unresponsive, unmoving, unconscious. Luna slips the Ring of Lucii into his pocket. She watches as the Archaean appears to the Chosen King's aid and defeats the weakened Leviathan.

It's grand, it's terrible in an awe-inspiring sense (or maybe awe-inspiring in a terrible sense, Luna can't think straight anymore) and the sleeping form of Noct next to her, of herself next to her, silent but still alive, yet Luna is dead but she wants to scream her heart out.

Tears spring up, and the ocean water sprays at her. An ugly sob bursts out.

I was always going to die, she thinks. I was always going to die. I was prepared. I was ready. I was ready for it.

But she wasn't expecting it to be now, right at this instant, dying from a knife wound instead of her paying the price of the covenant. She wasn't supposed to die here.

But now that it's here, now that her body is numbing and she can no longer feel the weakness in her arms or the cold or the pain in her stomach, she can't do it.

It is enough, she thinks. I have done enough.

She's helped thousands, the people of Tenebrae adore her, the people of the empire and Lucis respect her as Oracle.

It is enough, she thinks. I had enough.

She had a loving mother and kind retainers. She likes the music from the Crown City Noct sends her, and dancing is always fun. Fashion is her forte. She had Gentiana, Umbra, Pryna—

(And a life of isolation, a life of loneliness, a life of her wanting to be Noct, with his father and a boyfriend and wonderful friends.)

It will do. It has to, because she has nothing else.

So when Luna is twenty-four years old, she dies alone and helpless, cradling Noct's head in her arms, hoping that it, everything she was, everything she did, everything that she could have been and things she never will be, will be enough.

---

it isn't.

and it's frustrating, isn't it? it's infuriating, to try to change your fate but nothing happens, like it's already been set in stone. you try to live, you try to hope, but you fall in the end. you try to change the very premise of your story, and maybe that will make a difference.

maybe it will.