Thanks to those that read the first chapter in this fic. Now that we got the first part of the plot established, let's see how life goes with little baby Nero. And for those who have children, they would know how chaotic it could be at times lol.

-miano53

Chronicles Two: A Tiny "God"

The small, dusty town of Sophiar, located in the region of Leide, was home to a mining community of less than 1,000. Among them were the Callums, a minor noble family from the capital of Insomnia. Reginald Callum served as the region's head scientist, inspecting the crystal deposits as well as the energies coming from them. His manor, more of a lab than a home, was surrounded by iron gates and was on constant watch by imperial troops.

The manor of House Callum was a mix of two building designs. The building's roofs were dome-shaped, like the deserts of Cartanica, Figaro, and Ancheim. But the rest of it had Lucian elements and even elements that suggested the place was an energy lab. The interior had two sections, one that was the family home, with various furnishings in the colors black, grey, and white. The other was the labs, with various machines monitoring the region and others nearby.

Within the living area of the manor, the red-haired Refia Kazus joined baby Nero's nurse, Luciana in keeping watch over him. Small monitors were strewn about the nursery and each had their own function that fed data into the labs. Dr. Callum wanted to monitor Nero's progress as well as keep an eye on the two to ensure that his son was being treated right. This offended Refia as the man hadn't spent really any time with his son, so hardly any bonding was done.

According to Luciana, babies needed to bond with their parents, not surrogates. That would help them grow and not have any psychological issues later on in life. But the man was a scientist first and his research shifted from imperial weaponry to researching Nero as the boy seemed to be more crystalline than human.

The crystal-like substance on his bones bonded with him and it did the same with his organs. That caused the burns to disappear, but some of the scales were still visible on his spine and glowed occasionally with bluish light. But the light wasn't malevolent like with dark crystals. Instead, the soft light had the propensity to heal and give energy to those around the baby.

Thus, he was nicknamed the "tiny god of healing" while in the hospital. Which upset Luciana as she told the staff that the baby was still human. Nero hadn't a clue what was going on as his primary job was to rest, eat, poop, and be cute. And he was doing just that as the tiny dark-haired human in a blue onesie looked around, seeing his red-haired protector.

Refia looked down at him and cooed. The dark-skinned, pink-haired, and quite short Luciana Suarez looked at him and noticed that the baby boy looked as if he was contemplating the state of the universe. He had a thoughtful expression on his face and was grunting. Which only meant one thing.

"Whoa! What's that smell? Ew!" Refia said, nearly choking on the fumes coming from the tiny human.

Nero seemed confused and then pleased with himself, which meant that another diaper had to be changed. That made the total five and it wasn't even noon. Seriously, for a "tiny god", he sure went through diapers, Refia thought.

"It's your turn, kid. I already changed the last three," Luciana said, ready to laugh.

"I'm supposed to be a STEM student, not a babysitter," Refia told her, not too happy about it.

"Just think of it as you being his big sister. He's gonna need it as his father doesn't seem too keen on raising him anytime soon," Luciana said.

Refia sighed, knowing the reason why. The man blamed the boy for his mother's death. Which wasn't fair at all. He was only a two-month-old and didn't know his mother died so horrendously.

A cry cut her thoughts short and Nero wasn't too pleased having a dirty diaper. He flailed, crying as Refia was taking too long. He barely knew how his limbs worked and just needed some help. Was it too hard to ask?

Refia wondered where she got the whole mental dialogue from as she wasn't thinking any of that. Reluctantly, she took Nero and said, "Your dad owes me big time for this."

"Just change him before he gets angry again," Luciana said, straightening out parts of the nursery.

October 22nd, Cape Caem…

"Did she tell you exactly what they were working on in Balouve?" Lord Morris asked, sitting up in his sick bed.

Reginald, reluctantly, returned to Caem to update his father on his grandson's condition. He kept silent for most of the visit, as Morris tried to regale him with tales from the Cosmogony and the prophecies of the Oracles. The man believed that his grandson would have a role to play in said prophecies as his powers seemed to be the same as the original crystal of Lucis. According to legend, a battle between the "gods" and "messengers" caused the crystal to shatter into many shards and scatter across the world. The shattering of the crystal also saw the gods shatter themselves, destroying their corporeal forms. Humanity spent millennia in the Astral Dark Age until the year AE 2344, when the shattered shards of the crystal reappeared, growing and giving abilities to those that lived in their light.

According to the legends, the locations where the shards landed became the many peoples and nations that dotted the world. Despite the light they provided, their counterparts, the dark crystals would produce monsters, drive animals wild, and create toxicity zones. Lastly, the remains of the "gods" and "messengers" also gave rise to the various creatures and peoples that would give the world its various fairy tales and legends. As the old man spoke, Reginald wondered why he stopped believing in the Cosmogony, especially after Aure's death. Why believe in gods that destroyed themselves?

"You're not listening, are you, son?" Lord Morris asked.

"I don't know why you're telling me this again. I no longer believe in such rubbish," Reginald told him.

Morris sighed and said, "But yet, Aure believed."

"No, she didn't," Reginald said, not wanting to get on that subject again.

"If she didn't, then why was she researching crystals and their powers? Maybe she had a little bit of belief in the Cosmogony to do such research," Morris retorted.

Rolling his eyes, Reginald stood up and said, "I only came here to give you an update on Nero, not a theology lesson."

"Well, you need to know about our history and the many old tales of our ancestors. Especially due to Nero's condition," Morris told him.

Reginald was ready to leave, but his father said, "Do not be surprised if you start witnessing supernatural phenomena with that boy. If he can now heal those of toxicity and injury, think of what he can do in the future. You'll have to protect such a being from various powers that be as he's nothing like those empowered by the crystals' light."

"Meaning?" Reginald asked.

"Meaning that Nero maybe just a little bit more than that," Morris said, coughing immediately after.

After controlling his coughing fit, the man said, "Just keep my surviving grandson safe from those that wish to use him to do others harm."

December 12th, Callum Laboratories…

Staring at a bright light above him, the three-month-old Nero wondered why he was taken from the nursery to a weird see-through thing by someone in white. He was placed in what he didn't know was a capsule and it was connected by wires to various machines in the room. He didn't appreciate being taken from his crib to that cold place. He was only wearing his black onesie with a doggy face on it and he wanted to go back to his nap.

Reginald saw his assistants set up the machine that would check for Nero's toxicity levels. Due to the crystals that bonded with his bones, he had to as he didn't want an outbreak of radiation infecting everyone in Sophiar. That and he could check his son's vitals as well.

But Nero wasn't happy at all. Not one bit. He cried, wanting to be swaddled and wrapped up like a burrito. No to the weird see-through crib and no to the cold! He wanted to go back to the warm nursery with the red-haired protector and short lady!

Reginald's eyes widened and he looked around the room, wondering where those thoughts were coming from. As if he was reading his son's…

"Telepathy? He has telepathy at such a young age?" Reginald thought aloud.

"What?" an assistant asked.

Reginald approached the capsule and saw Nero flailing about. He was certainly over it and wanted to go back to the nursery. He didn't know what those words were nor did he know what the capsule was for, but he didn't want to be there. Luciana had put small gloves on his hands, to make sure he didn't scratch himself while flailing and the baby managed to hit himself in the face a few times, adding to his misery.

"Misery? You think you're miserable?" Reginald muttered.

There's no way that the baby understood misery, not like how he did. Those thoughts immediately went back to Nero's as the baby wanted to be picked up instead of being in that cold capsule. Why wasn't Reginald or anyone picking him up? Why?

Guilt overcame Reginald and the man picked up his son and cradled him in his arms for the first time. The assistants looked and one asked, "Uh, I thought we were checking his vitals."

"I just…Let me calm him down," Reginald said, rocking baby Nero back and forth.

Nero had a little smirk on his face as he fell back asleep. Finally, he was out of that weird crib. Reginald then said, "You're going to have to not do that. Mentally manipulating people will only bring distrust."

He stared and couldn't help it as a smile grew on his face. The sleeping child seemed to take a bit of his budding personality from his mother as he had a silliness to his demeanor. Appearance-wise, he took more from his family, with raven-black hair, blue eyes and rather pale skin. Or at least Reginald thought the boy had blue eyes.

Nero woke up, wondering if something was wrong and Reginald confirmed his son had blue eyes. Sky blue like Aure's…

"Dr. Callum, aren't we supposed to run tests on the little one?" an assistant asked.

"Let's wait until he falls asleep again. I fear if we try to do so now, he'll wail and cry," Reginald told him, trying to get his son to return to sleep.

The infant, feeling safe, closed his eyes and snored.

March 23rd, Callum Laboratories and Manor…

Wanting to get from the dusty dunes of Sophiar in the Leiden region and getting a summons from his father, Reginald packed his bags and Nero's into his car. The baby, in his car seat and wearing an all-black outfit with a Chocobo face printed on it, was content as he wanted to see more of the world. And Nurse Luciana Suarez said something about going outside to provide the baby with new stimuli, which the infant hadn't a clue what that meant.

If that meant he could finally go somewhere with his dad, then yay! If not, then nay!

"So, you have diapers, bottles, snacks?" Luciana asked.

"Yes, yes, and yes. And yes, Luciana, I have everything. I know how to 'parent' now," Reginald said, sounding a bit annoyed.

"Hey! I just had to ask as you weren't really 'World's Greatest Dad' about a few months ago," Luciana told him.

She was right, this nurse that the government assigned to his son's case. But he changed and Nero helped with that. Despite the many revelations, Viktor gave about Aure and how she carried twins before her passing, Reginald couldn't bring himself to hate the boy. He had a tough time of it too, losing his brother and mother, and it was a miracle that he survived the incident.

After putting Nero in his car seat into the rather fancy car, the baby cooed, very happy that he was able to see more than the walls of his home and the labs. He looked at Luciana with bright blue eyes and she told him, "Have fun, and don't attempt to terrorize your grandfather."

What's a "grandfather"? And what did she mean by "terrorize"? All he liked doing was napping, exploring, eating, and playing with his blocks. And occasionally crying and getting his "manservant" to change him, forcing him to play with him and even read stories. So, was that "terrorizing"?

"He seems confused. But my father should be fine. If anything, I'm sure he would only want to meet Nero as he believes him to be a kind of 'savior'," Reginald said, disdain in his voice.

Why would his father want such a fate for his grandson? Giving himself unrealistic expectations. And why would the world need a savior? It wasn't in much danger as the three empires were at peace and any smaller nations dared not make a move while the "Warring Triad" of empires kept up the peace treaties.

Sure, there were monsters around, but none attempted to attack towns or cities without fearing retaliation. And then the dark crystals. They were usually found as quickly as possible and placed in containment areas around the world. They mainly functioned as weapons or electricity. And the light crystals were similar, but many were left alone in their respective places and caused various side effects, usually benevolent…depending on how one would look at it.

But his father believed that the world was teetering towards the end and only the "King of Light" could save the world from it. Nero wasn't him, Reginald believed. And why bring more notoriety to the child? He was already under scrutiny from the empire for surviving the blast at Balouve.

Nero yelled, wondering why they hadn't left yet. He wanted the car to move. Move, move, move!

Reginald sighed as the baby was using telepathy again. Whenever he did, odd thoughts would enter anyone that he recognized minds. Which included Reginald, Refia, and Luciana. His eyes would also give off a blue glow and were the same color as the crystal Aure would…

Another yell and Nero flailed a bit, still wondering why the man didn't get into the driver's seat and start driving. Away from the gritty sand he couldn't eat! And got into his diaper a lot! And ruined his favorite Carbuncle toy! Wait, where was his Carbbie plushie?

A whimper and the infant cried as "Carbbie the Carbuncle" plush wasn't in the car. Luciana's face paled and Reginald said, "Hurry before he gets…!"

"Found it!"

Refia, who was supposed to be watching the toxicity levels coming from the mines, appeared with the blue plush. She handed it to Luciana, who handed it to Nero. The baby hiccupped, seeing his favorite toy, and grinned. Reginald sighed in relief and got into the car.

After a few more goodbyes, the father and son drove off, headed for Cape Caem.

Later…

As they continued their trek through the Gestahlian countryside and passed by Longwythe Town, Nero saw the sunny skies and the white clouds, which the baby could only think of it as "white, fluffy stuff" from his window. He wondered if the fluffy stuff was made of cotton candy, like the candy he saw from Lil' Malbuddy. Carbbie was in his car seat and his little buddy "watched" the clouds with him. But watching the clouds made the baby boy pretty sleepy. That and the hum from the car's engine.

Whew, he was sleepy. But he wanted to watch the clouds more! Oh, what to do?

Reginald looked at the car seat from his rearview mirror. As he drove the Regalia, a custom-made car gifted to him by his father as a wedding gift, the man heard babbles, hums, and a few coos of approval from his infant son. The boy seemed quite happy but conflicted about whether or not he should go to sleep.

Turning on the radio, he heard the news and it was about the continued investigations into the Balouve incident. The Imperial Army had apprehended rebel leaders that were ethnically Lucian and they had interrogated them, trying to find answers. Which Reginald knew they wouldn't find any as his people had nothing to do with what happened to Aure. Why would Lucians attack their own without reason?

"Bah…aguh…" the baby in the back seat gurgled.

The radio frequently was filled with static as the man saw the numbers on the console change. It rapidly went through various numbers and the noises from it were grating. Another babble and Nero laughed, clapping his hands. Wisps of blue light came from them and the station was turned to a music one.

"Papa Shark! Do-do-dodo-do-do! Papa Shark! Do-dodo-do!"

Reginald groaned, hoping that he would escape the song that was "Kiddie Shark". Nero loved it and hardly ever wanted to hear another. Why did Refia leave the television on and allowed that song to play?

"I was listening to that, Nero," Reginald said, changing the station back to the news.

"Neeu…" the infant whined.

The station changed again, this time to an odd song that was barely intelligible. The man rapping, or whatever one would call it, said, "The ting go skraah! Pop, pop, pop-pop, pop, POP! Skee-dee-dee-pop-POP! And a poom-boom-poom-BOOM! SKRAAH! Poom-poom…!"

"No, Nero…" Reginald said, changing it back to the news.

Another whine and Nero flailed a bit, tossing Carbie at the front seat. The horned fox plushie perfectly landed in the front right seat, staring at him with its black eyes. Nero whined once more and the station went to a third musical one and Reginald heard a rock song declare, "I am the storm that's approaching! Provoking! Black clouds in isolation! I am reclaimer of my NAME! Born in flames! I have been blessed! My family's crest is an ANGEL OF…!"

"Okay! That's enough music for now!" Reginald said, shutting off the radio as the singer was screaming about an "angel of death" or something.

Odd music choices for a baby only six months. Nero thought it wasn't and found it funny. His daddy's reactions were funny and helped him not to fall asleep. But he was hungry now and wanted some crackers.

"We're almost at Galdin Quay. We'll rest up there for the night and continue towards Cape Caem in the morning," Reginald told him as if he understood.

A happy babble and thoughts of Nero getting his favorite cheese crackers and milk crossed Reginald's mind. At least the child had bits of telepathy which made it a bit easier to understand him. Just a little easier.

And there's chapter two.