Chapter 8: Riddles

{Citadel Training Hall: May 22nd 2002, 11:32pm}

"So, how was your training for today?" inquired Clarus as he, Gladiolus, Ignis, and Marshal Leonis sat around a table having a quiet, late dinner in the Citadel after a long day.

"Grueling, but paying of…" Gladiolus's answer received a nod.

"And what of our young trainee?" he probed as his son gave him a sour expression.

"That kid is nothing but trouble…he may be the future King of Lucis, but he's still a nightmare to work with…" Ignis cleared his throat.

"I'd beg to differ. Noctis has proven to be highly talented in many fields," he stated.

"Really? The young Prince hasn't given you any troubles?" Ignis shook his head at Clarus's question.

"Not at all. There are moments where he does become distracted; however, he hasn't ever given me grief over it. Normally, he's keen to learn something new," he explained.

"Is there a reason that Prince Noctis prefers Ignis over Gladiolus, Cor?" the Marshal smiled.

"It's because Gladiolus is a bit to brutish towards him. After all, he did given Ignis permission to call him by his name without any titles," he informed the Council Elder of that, and Clarus looked towards his son.

"Really? Why is that?" Gladiolus shrugged.

"The brat doesn't like me…besides? What's the deal with the kid giving people permission to just call him by his name?" he quizzed.

"It's a sign that he trusts you…" Gladiolus frowned.

"So he doesn't trust me?" he asked.

"Nope…."

Gladiolus gave Ignis a surly expression as Clarus and Marshal Leonis laughed a bit at the prospects of the conversation while they finished up their dinners. However, it was as midnight started to come in that they gathered their dishes and began to prepare for their departures when suddenly a series of clattering footsteps came through the hallways, catching their attention as they sat their plates down on the table again and Clarus headed towards the door, requesting that the others remain put before he exited the room and they heard the rumble of voices outside the door before Clarus opened the door again.

His gaze was staring, his skin paled, and his entire form radiated a sense of discomfort. Marshal Leonis, Gladiolus, and Ignis remained silent, questioning what was happening as they saw the people rushing around in the hallway in confusion as the shouts began to come and go while the Council Elder looked towards them with the same long-stare that sent nothing short of terror. Marshal Leonis stepped forward and stared as the man remained silent.

"Clarus, what…." The man turned his gaze fully to them.

"King Regis is on his way back to the Citadel…" the three others looked to him in confusion.

"What? When did he leave?" asked Marshal Leonis.

"He left, because one of the cars that the Prince was in sent out a destress signal…" the trio froze.

"What happened?" Clarus looked to the ground as he took in a deep breath.

"They were attacked by a Daemon….and Prince Noctis was the only survivor, but he has sustained heavy injuries. At current, he's stable, but he's unresponsive," Clarus stated.

"Where are they taking him?" Clarus looked to them.

"The medical ward…they should be there with him soon," he stated.

"Can we see him?" Clarus shook his head.

"Not now, once he's out of the surgery for the wound he received, it should be fine…but we're welcome to wait outside," he explained.

"Let's go…"

The four of them ran from the room and towards the medical ward within the Citadel where they were met with a series of people rushing in and out of the room as King Regis stood in the center of the room, the doors standing wide open. In the arms of their King, was the bloodied, paled form of the Prince. Marshal Leonis stared onward, disbelieving of the sight he was looking at whilst his two students found themselves forced into silence while they continued to only watch, knowing they were helpless as their King laid the boy down and was asked to leave by one of the doctors.

Once the doors of the medical ward was shut, the King began to pace, fearful as he attempted to ease his nerves while Clarus and Marshal Leonis waited to see what would happen. The time that passed as they waited continued to grate their nerves and cement the knot in the pits of their stomach as the ticking of the clock on the wall grew incredibly loud and grating upon their ears as silence consumed the area, leaving it devoid of voices and practically breathless. The two students sat against the wall, watching as King Regis continued his pacing while Marshal Leonis leaned against the wall next to his students, and Clarus stayed near the door, hoping to ease his friends duress.

Clarus Amicitia understood his friend's fears as he too was a father and knew the terrors that could come from potentially losing your children. However, it was different in many ways as he was only in a house that had protected the Caelum family line for several generations and while the King and the Amicitia household were close friends, losing one of their children would be nothing like losing the future King of Lucis. Dark eyes glanced towards Gladiolus as the teenager kept his gaze down, his face hard as his father considered that the boy was thinking about something as he remained standing by the wall.

Ignis, was also thinking about what he had seen. Noctis had looked almost as if he was a corpse, drenched in blood and soaked through gauze. The blonde frowned as he looked at the scene in his mind; noting the tone of the boy's skin and his lack of consciousness. Naturally, he knew that the boy had gone into shock due to blood loss, but the entire situation felt far too dream-like and unnatural. Ignis's thoughts continued to try and figure out why such a thing would happen until finally the doors of the medical ward opened and all eyes went to the doctor.

"He'll be alright," he stated. The tension in all of them left.

"What's happened?" the doctor cleared his throat.

"He had a cut across his back, but the wound didn't damage anything, what sent him into shock was the blood loss and the shock-wave of magic from the Millith's weapons. He's sleeping right now and will be for a while due to a shock-induced coma. But, once he's awake he should heal pretty quickly," he explained.

"Thank you Doctor Acrux….I…." the man shook his head.

"No, your Majesty….please don't. Felicia was a beautiful, and strong woman…she was an incredible person and cared about your son….I only hope that I can take care of our daughter now that she's gone," Dr. Acrux stated.

"You will do your wife proud…." The King looked down, as if the words hurt.

"Thank you, now…..you and the others may go see him, but please try not to wake him. When the body forces someone to sleep it is so that they can heal quicker. Just allow him to sleep," he said as they nodded and he walked away, allowing them to enter the room.

King Regis moved forward long before the others did and came to sit beside the boy's bed. His hands instantly clutching the smaller one lying upon the bed, hooked up to the and bandaged in randomized areas. While the King seemed concentrated on the boy, the others hung back, taking in the scene of the boy lying there almost impossibly pale, his breathing shallow, but even and a faint blush to his cheeks. King Regis took in a steady breath and held onto the boy's hand tighter while the others watched the boy who only stared onward at the child as he slept.

Clarus came to stand by his friend, placing a hand upon his shoulder as the Marshal watched the boy continue to sleep and pondered what would happen after the child woke up. Noctis was going to have a long road of recovery that would set him back for who knew how many months or years. The Marshal knew that one thing that scared him was how the child's demeanor would change from such a horrific accident; however, he questioned how well those within this room understood that fact.

"This is insane…." Gladiolus muttered.

"Why would you say that?" the teenager narrowed his eyes at the ground.

"He may be a brat, but he's just a kid….he doesn't deserve this shit…" Clarus looked to his son.

"Regis, my friend….what do you want me to do?" the King took in a deep breath.

"We cannot make any sudden moves until he wakes up. When he does, we can begin the process of getting him healed…" Marshal Leonis took in a deep breath.

"King Regis, may I speak a bit out of term?" the King looked to him.

"What for?" the man looked to the child asleep on the bed.

"Because, while I do believe your choice is wise….we must also consider Noctis's psychological behavior. He may have more trauma than we realize and very little of it could be physical," Marshal Leonis stated. King Regis looked down before taking in a steadying breath.

"I understand your concern. Will the three of you continue his training and aid him in rehabilitation?" the three nodded.

"Yes Sir your Majesty!" King Regis smiled and nodded his head in thanks as Clarus escorted them out while his friend remained with his child.

King Regis looked at the boy's still form, his skin looking far too pale, and his breathing shallow. For so long he had kept his distance, believing that he could still father his child from a distance, hoping that he could let the child do what he wished in his life while going through his daily events so long as he didn't do something that got him into too much trouble. But, slowly, King Regis had started to take note of something rather wrong about the boy's behavioral habits. He was beginning to distance himself from people, his isolation was slowly forcing him to keep quiet about more and not even speak to those he had been around for most of his life.

As time went on, King Regis took into account that Noctis seemed troubled; however, something else also appeared to be eating at the child. Noctis had tried to get away from the pressure of becoming King and had set to doing small things that would distract him or brought him happiness. The garden he had built with his classmate Coraline Jones was one such thing that caused the boy to feel momentary elation because he was working on something important and had created a place that he could go and ignore the world for a moment. King Regis looked at the boy and then smiled as he reached up and gently brushed the boy's now clean shadow-black locks away from his pale face.

"When you wake up, I will be here Noctis…I promise…." He stated.

{Unknown: May 23rd 2002, Unknown Time}

"Noctis!"

"I'm here for you…."

"We need to get him to the infirmary….he's gone into shock…"

"Please, Noct hang on! We'll be there soon…."

"Is he going to be okay?"

"We'll know soon enough. Please, be patient…"

"Noctis, you'll wake up soon, I know it….."

The voices rang in his head, constantly drowning out anything else that could possibly enter his mind or senses as he tried to make sense of the sudden chill in the air, the scent of earth, the warmth of sun, and the sound of running water as he tried to place what his mind was trying to tell him. Slowly though, everything came rushing in, the sound, the scent, the feeling of everything that caught his attention along with the sound of something walking towards him.

"Hey! Get up lazy bum!" the voice sounded slightly high-pitch, but somewhat calm, smooth, and definitely female; however, he desired to ignore it.

"Hmm…."

"I said GET UP YOU LAZY BUM!" the shout caught his attention as he slowly shot up and looked around in confusion.

He was in the middle of a lush forest, full of greenery, towering trees, rich earth and the pristine sound of running water as he looked at the location and slowly sat up and tried to get his bearings as the wind rushed past him and he continued to look around. Sharp, midnight-blue eyes gaze about the place as a small tacking noise caught his attention.

"Where am I?"

"The Dream World…." The voice caused him to turn and stared directly towards a white, foxlike creature with remarkably large ears, a pale gray-tipped tail, black nails, and a red crystal horn on its head.

"Whose there?" he called out and heard someone clear their throat.

"I'm right here…." Blue eyes looked to the white, fluffy creature.

"You?" he asked.

"Duh….do you see anyone else around here short-stack?" the boy frowned.

"I'm nine….of course I'm short!" he stated as the white creature puffed out its tail.

"Well, since you're here Noctis….I guess we should get underway to our explanations…..if you want to that is…" Noctis frowned.

"You're rude…" he said with a scowl.

"I'm not really rude, I just speak fluent sarcasm….plus….your pretty tender-footed…" Noctis looked at the fox.

"Um….who are you?" the fox scratched its radar-dish ears.

"I'm a Carbuncle, a spirit guide of sorts…..but I'm your familiar. I was left with your father upon your mother's death as a blue wood carving….I was supposed to be given to you a while ago….but…oh well. You're here now, that's what matters…" Noctis crouched a bit as he looked at the Carbuncle.

"So, you're my familiar? If that's true….then….what's my full name?" the Carbuncle chirped.

"Noctis Avior Lucis Caelum, nine-years-old, born February fifth nineteen-ninety-three, Aquarius is your star sign, you were born under the singular blue moon of the century, your eyes are midnight-blue, your hair is black, but has a few odd streaks of dark chrome, and you typically burn in the sun like a marsh-mellow because you're so fair skinned, like your mother, Queen Aulea Omnia Lucis Caelum…." Noctis looked the Carbuncle over.

"So, what's your name?" he inquired. The Carbuncle flicked its tail.

"You can choose my name…." Noctis frowned.

"I thought you would already have one," he stated.

"No….I was never given a name…" Noctis frowned before thinking for a moment.

"Cari…." The creature tilted its head.

"Cari? What's tha…." The boy crouched.

"I'll call you Cari….in the Lucian language it means Beloved….it's also an abbreviation of Caridad, a star on the Orion Constellation…." The Carbuncle sat down upon its haunches and thought of the name.

"I like it….Cari it is then!" she stated as she stood up and Noctis reached out to pet her slowly before smiling.

"So, why are you here? I'm not dead am I?" he gave her a questioning look and Cari twitched her ears.

"No, but you are in a deep sleep and someone doesn't want you to wake up," she explained.

"How come?" a sneeze left her.

"It's because you are the only legitimate threat to them….and if you were to grow up, your chances of becoming something dangerous to them is pretty high," she explained as she started walking.

"So what's your job?" Cari flicked her tail.

"To become your Familiar, guard you, guide, and help you through this insanity while being your friend as well. In essence, I must guide you through this Dreamscape, and get you back into the world of the waking via your safe zone." Noctis nodded slowly.

"Okay…what do I have to do in order to make you my Familiar?" Cari made a bit of a chirping sound again.

"You have to agree to it, and grant me a name – which you've already done – but you've also got to be willing to bear my mark so I can stick with you as often as possible," she stated.

Noctis looked at the Carbuncle and took in a steadying breath while he tried to sort out how to do what he was doing. Cari wanted to become his familiar, and while he knew that was fine his mind was looking into the details of having her stick by him constantly. Noctis shook his head, feeling as though his heart and mind couldn't come up with a severe enough excuse for not having her there seeing as he was always alone and desperately wished for a companion of some sorts. Cari stood there and then looked up at him as he crouched once more and held out his hand while she slowly came to him.

"Alright, Cari….I want you as my Familiar, and I accept your mark…." Noctis stated. Cari tilted her head.

"Good, now…hold still…"

As he remained silent and still a sharp pain rain through the bottom half of his right ear and he jolted, putting his hand up to it where the pain came from as he felt a metallic earring in his lower lobe. Noctis looked to Cari who flicked her tail as he took in recognition of the odd little earring, feeling of the curve in the metal work and the rough-cut gem-stone at the bottom of it. Cari's ears twitched and Noctis looked towards him and took in a deep breath as he looked around the forest.

"Should we get going?" Cari asked.

"Yea, care to lead the way?" she nodded.

"Sure, follow me….Noct…."

{….}

If you're lost out where the lights are blinding….

{…}

Author's Note: Noctis finally met Cari! And yes, before you start questioning: this is based upon the Platinum Demo and there are a few differences. Noctis also named Cari because in some cultures, granting someone or something a name granted them freedom, and also bonded them to the person who granted them that name.

The Lucian language is Latin – which I studied for a few years – and the reason why I picked that is because almost 100% of FFXV is based upon Greek and Roman mythology with touches of Norse and Japanese. If you consider some of the names of the countries, people, and monsters.

Anyhow, Cari does indeed mean Beloved and it can also mean Dear, Dearly, and Darling, so technically Cari means: Dearly Beloved. It is also a star in the Orion Constellation known as Caridad. Noctis's middle name I'll talk about in the next chapter!

Have a smashing day or night!

Sincerely,

ShadowDragon94.